Please help us build a disability bathroom for Ronnie

Hello everyone

I’ve opened this GoFundMe page for my son Ronnie. Sadly Ronnie suffered a hypoxic brain injury, he was breached and compressed the umbilical cord, cutting off blood and oxygen. Causing severe damage to around 70% of his brain. This along with seizures has left Ronnie unable to speak, sit, stand or walk. Devastatingly this isn’t all Ronnie has suffered, he experiences excruciating nerve pain episodes, which require heavy pain medication and sedation.

​Please note that I haven’t made the decision to start this page lightly, however we’re becoming painfully aware that we will not receive funding from the council for adaptations to the house for Ronnie until much later in his life if at all. Sadly this is a situation that many people with disabled children are facing.

I am becoming increasingly worried about lifting Ronnie as he gets heavier as it is and will become more dangerous for both of us.

As Ronnies full time carer I am already struggling to lift Ronnie up the stairs and in and out of the bath. This is not just about the weight of him but he also suffers with dystonia, causing involuntary spasms and painful contractions to his muscles.

I hope I am giving a clear picture of Ronnie’s condition and that I haven’t rambled too much…. I will get to the point. I am trying to raise money to build a downstairs bathroom for him. I am aware that a shower room would be slightly cheaper, however Ronnie would only require a standard bath providing I can hoist him into it.

The reason Ronnie specifically needs a bath is that lying in warm water has become a major part of managing his symptoms. He has hydrotherapy sessions at Claire house and his physio there has explained that Ronnie’s dystonia and overall muscle tone responds unbelievably well to the water. For example, placing him in the warm bath can relieve spasms and discomfort almost instantly without requiring heavy medication as the alternative. The water just gives him miraculous relief!

Caring for Ronnies needs can be very difficult and if a bath can make Ronnies life better, I want to be able to continue this as much as possible without risk of injury to either of us or just having to stop all together because I won’t be able to carry him safely for much longer.

I know that times financially are very difficult for people and feel I should apologise for asking. Funding for adaptations is lacking around the country particularly for disabled children and I know that many parents are facing the same difficulties if not worse for their disabled children.

I desperately want to make Ronnies life the best it can be and really need help as his carer and most of all as his mum.

I have described our situation as honestly as I can and can only begin to express how grateful I would be if anyone could donate towards helping build a safe and future proof bathroom for our wonderful son. Thank you so much for taking the time to read this.

Thank you.