Parents’ charity plea for Mared
A SIX-YEAR-OLD girl is unable to travel to see Santa this Christmas – because taking her on a car journey would put her life at risk.
Schoolgirl Mared Lewis has a rare form of epilepsy which is often so severe she ends up in hospital and has even caused a stroke.
She is unable to walk, talk and some days she cannot support her own head, which means she needs a specialist car seat costing more than £2,320.
Her parents are now appealing for help to buy the specialist equipment that would make a massive difference to the Pontypridd youngster’s life.
With a high street car seat, Mared has to have someone with her so she doesn’t flop forward and choke or hurt herself during a seizure.
Mum Eirian said: “We don’t take Mared out anywhere that isn’t medical appointments or school because of our fear of something happening to her in her current car seat.
“She needs a car seat with a supportive head rest that can tilt, so it stops her flopping forward and helps her posture, as well as fast release straps for when she has a seizure.
“Mared is aware of things and gets really frustrated as she can’t tell us what’s wrong, but when she smiles at me, it’s just perfect – it takes my breath away.
“If we had the right car seat we could do those simple things like take her to see Santa at Christmas or go out as a family with 13-year-old brother Brychan.”
As statutory services don’t fund car seats, Mared’s parents Eirian and Darren have turned to Newlife, the charity for disabled children for help.
Newlife is the largest UK charity providing specialist equipment for children with disabilities and terminal illness.
Right now, Newlife has two disabled and terminally ill children in Rhondda Cynon Taf (RCT) in need of specialist equipment and must raise £5,910 to help them.
Newlife has already supported 42 children across RCT.
Newlife’s head of charity operations, Stephen Morgan, said: “Car seats have become essential to daily life for all children to keep them safe, the law insists upon it – unless a child is disabled.
“Why should disabled children be any less entitled to travel in safety?
“A specialist seat can cost up to £3,000, which means families are virtually housebound while they attempt to raise the money.
“Often, with no way to raise this quickly, they turn to charities to help.”
If you think you could help Mared by donating or fundraising, please visit www.newlifecharity.co.uk/ rhonddacynontaf. Alternatively, contact Suzie or a member of the team on 01543 462777 or email local@newlifecharity.co.uk