Sam’s wheely happy
FAMILY’S JOY AT CHARITY’S GIFT FOR EIGHT-YEAR-OLD
SAM McKie was born with Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA) a rare, genetically inherited neuromuscular condition that causes progressive muscle weakness and loss of movement due to muscle wasting.
As a typical eight-year-old boy wanting to explore the world, Sam felt trapped in his normal wheelchair and craved some independence.
Now thanks to the national charity Caudwell Children, who funded his an electric chair, he is enjoying the newfound freedom the equipment gives him.
Excited Sam, from Forest Hall, North Tyneside has used the electric wheelchair to venture up his street on his own for the first time.
His Dad, Gary McKie, sent a message to the charity with a video of Sam’s maiden voyage. He said: “I just wanted to send our utmost gratitude and thanks for helping Sam fund his new powerchair.
“It’s thanks to organisations like yours that Sam and others like him, can access such amazing and life-changing equipment, which means so much not only to Sam, but to our family as a whole.
“Check out that smile. You have made an eight-year-old boy extremely happy!”
With the progressive loss of muscle strength, a powered wheelchair can provide invaluable support for children with SMA as they develop; enabling increased independent mobility, comfort and postural support.
Sam’s brand new Permobil M3 Wheelchair offers vital functions that follow the body’s natural movement – allowing him to sit, stand or lie down as he needs to.
As well as offering significant health benefits, his parents say that Sam’s life will be transformed as he will now be able to fully participate in school subjects like cookery, science, design and technology.
And he can now engage with family and friends on the same eye level for the first time, increasing his self-esteem and social skills.
The specialist equipment was funded thanks to a partnership between Caudwell Children and the Edward Gostling Foundation who match fund the charity’s donations.
Trudi Beswick, Chief Executive at Caudwell Children, said: “Seeing the smile on Sam’s face filled us all with joy. We have kept the charity going through the most difficult of circumstances to ensure children like Sam get the support they need to live the life they want to.
“A piece of equipment like this wheelchair can literally open up the world for a young person and give them the confidence to aim for the stars. “We are committed to continuing our support for children and young people like Sam, but equipment like this does not come cheap. “Caudwell Children is incredibly grateful to have partnered with the Edward Gostling Foundation to match-fund donations of specialist equipment like this and we rely on the generosity of the public to enable us to continue helping thousands of children and families every year.”