THE MOTHER of a disabled boy is urging Observer readers to dig deep and support the charity which helped her son get out and about again.
Samuel Wheatley-Hunt from Broadway was born with an underdeveloped left front lobe in his brain which means he does not speak, is unable to sit, crawl, roll or stand and has no functional use of his hands as they are clenched shut.
He also has epilepsy which is controlled with medication, but he still has breakthrough episodes.
The four-year-old (pictured) was using a charity funded specialist car seat, but had outgrown it, leaving his family struggling to transport him safely to his many medical appointments and specialist nursery.
With no government money available to buy a new one, the family turned to a charity foundation called Newlife which paid for a new seat worth almost £600 meaning Samuel can once more be a car passenger as it provides the correct support for his body to keep him safe and free from pain.
The charity is now set to launch the Newlife Worcestershire Fund where every penny donated or fund-raised in the county is guaranteed to support vulnerable families in the area.
It will help pay for equipment for youngsters under the age of 19 with any significant disability, whether acquired through birth defect, prematurity, accident or illness.
Samuel’s mum Natasha said she now felt more confident travelling with him being in something which fits him properly.
“Samuel struggles with head control and standard car seats don’t recline, so because of his situation the only route we could go down was a specialist car seat provided by Newlife which is brilliant.” she said.
“The new seat is bigger to allow Samuel to be more comfortable on journeys and provides the correct support for his body to keep him safe and free from pain, and without it we would find travelling really difficult.”
Newlife has already helped 134 children in Worcestershire through equipment grants and loans totalling more than £246,000.
Log on to www.newlifecharity.co.uk/worcestershire to find out ways people can help support disabled children and their families.
