Stories

Four year old Bobby has Chromosome Deletion which results in severe physical and other disabilities to the extent that he has to be fed continuously via a tube. His reflux is also quite severe requiring his parents to treat this every two hours.

Written by Lilly’s mum on her behalf

Hi, my name is Lilly and I am 6 years old. I would really like to say a huge ‘thank you’ to Variety, the Children’s Charity and The Melissa Nathan Foundation for making my dream come true and changing my life completely.

Sixteen year old Courtney is a keen and accomplished wheelchair basketball player with ambitions to play for Team GB in future Paralympics. She is dependent on her wheelchair because cerebral palsy means she can only walk short distances with the aid of a wheeled walking frame.

18 year old James has a passion for the great outdoors but life has made it particularly hard for him to indulge that passion. Severe epilepsy (between 10 and 30 seizures per day) has curtailed his development with consequential learning difficulties.

Four year old Savannah always seems to have a smile on her face despite severe cerebral palsy which means she needs constant care and help with feeding and changing. She loves books, music and people and probably gets her positive outlook from her mother who has a very positive outlook on life.

Aaliyah has weak muscles and painful joints due to multiple medical conditions including skeletal dysplasia and juvenile idiopathic arthritis. It makes her totally reliant on her wheelchair for mobility. But her old NHS wheelchair is very heavy to propel, so she tires easily, its weight makes it difficult to get in and out of the car when her parents take her out.

Tyler is a very bright and personable young man who has qualified for a place at a residential performing arts college where he can study music, his great passion.

Henry has to cope with the effects of Spastic Dyplegia, cerebral palsy and serious sight impairments. He’s very determined and can manage short distances by using walking canes.

12 year old Thomas is a very bright young man who has recently started secondary school. He loves technology and enjoys his Xbox, iPad and playing Minecraft.

Fountaindale is a Special Needs school catering for children with a wide range of conditions including: physical disabilities, complex medical needs, sensory impairment and learning difficulties.​