5,000 AT NORWOOD’S VIRTUAL DINNER

NORWOOD’S virtual dinner also featured the stories of clients whose lives had been transformed by its assistance.

Elisabeth said her “world was turned upside down” when a pregnancy check-up revealed her daughter Sara’s Down’s syndrome. “You realise that you have to ... put yourself in the best position to help your child.” Now four, Sara is making progress and can formulate short sentences thanks to Norwood’s speech and language therapists.

Elisabeth added that Norwood’s help “has been a lifeline”. And joining its Rainbow group — which supports mothers of children with special needs and disabilities — had been

“one of the best things I’ve done for myself and for Sara.

“It’s been hugely beneficial. You start learning more about the condition and [about] other families in the same situation who are actually happy and their lives are fulfilled.”

Also featured was Laurence, father of Jeremy, now in his late 20s, who has cerebral palsy, scoliosis, epilepsy and a profound learning disability.

Laurence recalled that when he learnt of his son’s diagnosis, it was as though “the ground had opened up and swallowed me”.

Jeremy lives at Norwood’s Woodcock Dell residence in Harrow. He and his father have been “missing each other terribly in the current crisis” but are having regular online meetings and have been able to use specialist technology to decide on future activities they can do together, the charity explained.

Laurence also praised the devotion of Jeremy’s primary carer, Cesar. The bond they had forged was “an enormous reassurance”.

Diagnosed with a rare chromosome disorder as a toddler, six-year-old Sophia is unable to walk, sit on her own or crawl and needs help for any physical activity.

“Sophia’s non-verbal so when she’s got a tummy ache, you feel very helpless that you can’t figure out what’s wrong,” her father Daniel said.

Since the family approached Norwood in 2015, Sophia has been involved in various play therapy sessions while her parents have received one-to-one support.

Her sister Chloe, a member of the charity’s siblings’ group, said it was a “great place to share all your thoughts and feelings” and make friends.