Re-bear Shop
Experts restore precious pal for boy with rare syndrome
A TEENAGE boy and his teddy bear are set to melt hearts this week after the best pals visited The Repair Shop.
Billy Matthews, 13, brought his beloved bear Henry to the workshop as part of Children in Need, after noticing it was a little worse for wear.
To Billy, who was diagnosed with rare disorder Kabuki syndrome as a baby, Henry is no ordinary bear.
“Henry makes me feel safe,” says Billy, from Romford, East London.
“Having Henry always makes me feel happy. When I am at school or have been somewhere where I didn’t have Henry, the first thing I do when I get home is to say hello to Henry and have a chat with him.
“He is very cuddly and is always there to listen to me when I need him.”
Billy was diagnosed with Kabuki syndrome at Great Ormond Street Hospital when he was one. He had struggled with feeding as a baby as well as a range of infections.
The syndrome affects people in differing ways, but for Billy it means he has some physical and learning challenges, as well as some specific health needs.
“We were shocked and upset at the diagnosis, says mum Mandy, 50.
“Not a lot was known about it and we weren’t sure what the effects would be.
“However, having a diagnosis did at least give us a starting point and we received wonderful support from our local authority. It took a while to
When I had an operation at 4, Henry made me feel braver about it all
understand Billy’s needs, but isn’t this true of all children?
“It has been amazing to see Billy grow into the unbelievably kind, loving, funny and bright young man that you see today. I even feel guilty for ever feeling upset about his diagnosis as it is what makes Billy, Billy.”
Henry first came into Billy’s life 10 years ago when the youngster took him home from nursery for a weekend. They became such good pals, Billy’s teachers agreed to let him keep Henry for ever.
“My earliest memories of Henry Bear was how excited I was to bring him home and how disappointed I was to have to give him back – and then how happy I was my nursery let me keep him,” says Billy. “We had fun going to the post office and horse riding and going to the park.”
Those weren’t the only adventures they shared, with Henry joining Billy and his family on trips abroad to Dubai and Majorca.
He’s also been there for Billy during some of his most difficult times.
“He really helped me when I had an operation on my palate when I was about four,” says Billy. “Cuddling him gave me so much comfort and made me feel braver about it all.
“He was also with me when I had to spend my 10th birthday in hospital. Everyone made me feel special, but Henry was there to comfort me too.”
So when the family noticed Henry was a bit worn, they decided to ask for the help of mending experts Amanda Middleditch and Julie Tatchell.
“Henry is a very loved bear and has been losing his stuffing and becoming threadbare for a few years due to all the cuddles and kisses he gets,” says Mandy. “It was actually my sister’s idea to apply to The Repair Shop. She had seen the amazing Bear Ladies.”
Billy, who, with his family has been supported by Children in Need backed charity Snap – Special Needs and Parents – took Henry to the shop as part of a Children in Need special.
Amanda and Julie were delighted, and a little daunted.
“It’s really special when someone young is involved,” says Amanda. “You really care and it’s always a bit more nerve-racking. When Billy handed Henry over you really get the sense he’s going to trust us with this precious bear and that gets to you. It’s such a responsibility.” Julie adds: “It was clear Billy really needed him.”
The ladies more than met the challenge. “They did an outstanding job,” says Mandy. “I am amazed how they can restore him without removing any of the character. It looked like a bear equivalent of going to a retreat for a few weeks and coming back a better version of himself. Henry is just looking happier and sturdier with an air of confidence.” On Children in Need Mandy adds: “We have been so lucky with the support we have received. Right from nursery and primary school, through to Billy’s amazing secondary school Hall Mead.
“As well as attending drama and choir at Snap, Billy also attends a trampolining club and a parasports club through our local authority.
“All of the people involved in Billy’s life are the reason I think Children In Need is so important.”
■ The Repair Shop, BBC Children In Need Live, Friday from 7pm, BBC One.