Daily Mirror (Northern Ireland)
Leap forward in technology helps kids take precious steps
New wheelchair lifeline for children
A NEW state-of-the-art wheelchair helped bring smiles and laughter to a group of children yesterday.
The young people with serious disabilities tasted the freedom of movement most people take for granted thanks to the Mae Murray Foundation.
Seven families with children, aged between 18 months and seven, got to grips with the Bugzi wheelchairs in Larne, Co Antrim.
Alix Crawford, whose daughter Talia has quadriplegic cerebral palsy, founded the charity.
She said: “Seven children are being fitted for their Bugzi which will allow many to move independently for the first time ever, something so many families take for granted as they watch their toddlers crawl and take their first steps.
“Each Bugzi is tailored and adapted to each child’s individual needs, with the capacity to adjust seating and controls as he or she grows.
“Mae Murray Foundation will host clinics from their Larne base so that young children from across the province will benefit, enabling them to increase their participation, explore their surroundings and simply have fun whilst building skills.
“Empowering a child with independence is a wonderful thing and can do so much for their self-esteem and we are very grateful to everyone involved in making independence a reality for these families.
“This equipment wasn’t available for my own daughter, Talia, in her early years and it was hard to watch her frustration at being unable to explore. “A Bugzi wheelchair would have had a great impact on her understanding of the world and on her development.
“It can be very exasperating and limiting for children to be constantly relying on adults and a little bit of freedom opens up a whole world of possibilities.
“Powered wheelchairs can be offered through the NHS from age six, but sadly many applications will be rejected as children may not have acquired the necessary skills to stay safe, having never had the opportunity to learn about spatial awareness and cause and effect.”
Mae Murray Foundation has partnered with MERU, a national charity which creates the minipowered wheelchairs for children with mobility issues.
For more details visit www. maemurrayfoundation.org.