Help my little boy to walk properly
APPEAL FOR HYDROTHERAPY SESSIONS
A MUM from Gateshead has launched a fundraising page to help her three-yearold son who can’t walk outside for longer than two minutes after he was born two months premature.
Chelsey Taylor’s son Terrance had a difficult start to life when he was born prematurely and had to be in an incubator for five days.
The brave little boy remained in hospital for six weeks, during which he was tube-fed but despite the odds made it through.
However, when Terrance turned two Chelsey, 23, and dad Aaron Mcewen, 25, from Low Fell, noticed something wasn’t quite right. Terrance couldn’t walk very far and would walk on his tiptoes.
His mum explained: “When he was born he needed oxygen to breathe and needed to be incubated for about five days and he had to be tube fed for about six weeks.
“He was just very behind because he was born so premature so had to do a lot of catching up and as parents, you just keep a close eye on him.
“From when he was about two, we started to spot different symptoms. He couldn’t walk outside at all for longer than two minutes. He walks on his tiptoes and he can’t put his feet flat. He has to wear slippers for comfort and he can’t walk upstairs.
“He doesn’t talk, he’s non-verbal at the moment and we don’t know if he will ever talk. His communication is very little and he doesn’t really make eye contact.”
Doctors are still investigating the cause of the problem but they suspect it could be down to Terrance’s premature birth.
But to help Terrance’s mobility the family began attending hydrotherapy through a charity called Heel And Toe, which supports children with physical difficulties.
The charity contributes half of the £70 sessions towards Terrance’s treatment but relies on fundraising events to help support this.
That’s why Chelsey, Aaron, and Terrance are all taking part in an ‘All Ability Bike Ride.’
Together they will ride around to try to raise as much money as possible. Chelsey said: “I used to work at the RVI but Terrance needs support all the time so I’m now his carer.
“With me not being able to work, £70 a lesson is a lot. Terrance loves being outside so I think he’ll really enjoy the bike ride. I can’t wait to see his face!”
Since Terrance has started hydrotherapy sessions, Chelsey said she has seen a huge difference in him after only two lessons. She said he “loves” being in the water and is so “happy and content”.
She said: “Terrance absolutely loves walking in the water even though he’s on his toes, he’s walking.
“Even his teacher said they’ve seen a big change in him.
“The difference in the two lessons is amazing. It just helps relax his muscles and you can see how happy and content he is. He’s a really happy and content little boy, he’s so bubbly. He’s just happy to do his own thing.
“He’s always smiling and even though he can’t talk he’s always babbling at us, he’s just great.
“I just think this could have been really bad so I’m just grateful to see that he’s healthy and quite well. He makes us proud every day.”
The ‘All Ability Bike Ride’ is due to take place today, Sunday, April 10, at Derwent Park.
If you would like to donate you can do so at the Go Fund Me page.