Family’s big appeal
Isla needs a special chair
A Larkhall family have launched an online fundraiser in a bid to purchase a specialised car seat for their disabled daughter.
Kate Weir and Derek Ramage are desperate to order a car seat to enable Isla (3) to travel to hospital appointments more easily.
The tot was diagnosed with severe hydrocephalus – fluid of the brain – at 20 weeks gestation. At just oneweek-old, her parents were told that her brain hadn’t developed properly and had an interhemispheric cyst on it. She was also subsequently diagnosed with epilepsy.
As a result of her conditions, Isla’s development has been seriously affected and she requires round the clock care.
Mum Kate explained: “Isla can’t support herself and needs 24-hour care. Leading up to her first birthday, we noticed her health deteriorating and Isla was diagnosed with more conditions.
“Isla had reoccurring chest infections due to an unsafe swallow with liquids, and was fitted with a nasal gastric tube.
“During her first year, we were told that her life was limited and were referred to Robin House Hospice run by CHAS.
“Over the next year, Isla developed more health problems that went undetected. She contracted swine flu and was put into an induced coma for 12 days in which we were told to prepare for the worst, but our warrior defied all odds and was transferred to the ward.”
Isla spent most of the following 12 months in hospital with stomach issues. In February 2016, she suffered a prolonged seizure, and took an allergic reaction to a drug called phenytoin. She stopped breathing and spent time being looked after in the intensive care unit, where she was fitted with a feeding tube.
Kate continued: “Isla contracted pseudomonus aeruginosa, a mast bacterial infection that isn’t easy to get rid of. Because she is on a continuous milk feed, she can’t take the antibiotic so has a nebulizer twice a day. Unfortunately this causes big problems with her chest also.”
Neither of Isla’s parents can drive, and they rely on wheelchair accessible taxis to travel back and forth from hospital appointments.
They are hoping to raise £3000 to cover the cost of a specialised car seat, which would allow family and friends to help with Isla’s transport needs.
Kate added: “Because of Isla’s complex needs, all the equipment is so expensive. We are lucky to receive equipment like a specialised seat and a hospital bed from our healthcare team, but anything else we have to fund ourselves.
“Isla would benefit from a specialised car seat called a carrot car seat. This means that family and friends can use it to transport us and we don’t have to rely on private hire wheelchair cabs which cost a small fortune.
“Isla has numerous appointments at various hospitals and sometimes early in the morning, when most of the wheelchair accessible cabs have school contracts.
“Both myself and her dad are going to learn how to drive and gain our licenses, but until then family and friends could transport us to and from appointments or even take us on days out.
“Everyone who knows and has met Isla knows what great, gorgeous girl she is with her own wee personality. Although she is non-verbal we know what she needs and wants by her having different noises and touch. Any support would be greatly appreciated.”
To support the fundraising effort, visit www.gofundme.com/73k4gr-bban