At six years old, Alexander, or AJ as he is known to his friends and family, is a happy, social little boy. There’s nothing he enjoys more than swimming, horse-riding and playing on the park swings with other children. But AJ experiences delays in reaching the same developmental milestones as other children due to his global developmental delay (GDD).

AJ’s motor skills, language and social interaction are all significantly affected. He is both non-verbal and non-mobile. Instead, AJ communicates through eye contact and gestures.

These differences can make communication very frustrating for AJ and daily life more complex. What’s more, he has profound learning difficulties at school and needs one-to-one support throughout the day.

Being non-mobile adds another layer of complexity, but it doesn’t define him.” – Zee, AJ’s mother.

AJ’s mother, Zee, explains, “Being non-mobile adds another layer of complexity, but it doesn’t define him or his potential. With the right equipment and support, AJ can continue to make progress in developing his skills, reaching milestones in his own time.”

In addition, AJ experiences head-drop seizures due to epilepsy. But thanks to effective medication, he hasn’t had a seizure since Boxing Day 2022.

“It was the best Christmas gift we were waiting for. The fact that his epilepsy is now well-controlled by medication is a huge positive and can make a big difference in his overall quality of life, both in terms of health and development,” Zee commented.

Determined to learn how to stand and walk, AJ was working hard on his intensive physiotherapy. In 2025, he finally received a standing frame at home from the NHS and practised standing every day since.

With this daily practice, AJ’s legs became stronger and as his strength grew, he began initiating steps. But maintaining balance remained a major challenge and AJ was still unable to successfully take steps.

AJ’s parents knew he learnt best through repetitive exercises and practice, so they set out to find specialist walking equipment designed for children. They discovered the Upsee, a specialist mobility device that supports children while they practise walking, but the high cost presented financial pressure for the family.

When they learnt that Variety funds specialist equipment for children with disabilities, they applied for a grant and AJ received an Upsee earlier this year.

Applying to Variety felt like a hopeful step, and we’re so grateful for the help we received – it meant Alexander could access equipment that makes a real difference in his everyday life.”

Since receiving this support from Variety, AJ’s world has grown and so has his family’s. The Upsee allows him to practise walking safely, keeping his feet and legs in the correct position while helping him to work on balance.

It allows his body to experience and remember the movement of taking steps and, for a child who learns best through repetition, the Upsee has opened the door for AJ to greater independence.

From simple things like being able to stand instead of sit, giving AJ the opportunity to see things from a different point of view, to exciting milestones like walking around his school for the first time and playing football, AJ is now enjoying experiences that were previously out of reach.

For the family, the impact has been profound. Zee adds, “Having the Upsee has made a big difference to our family. It’s opened more opportunities for fun and meaningful activities that we can now enjoy together with Alexander.”

They can now plan things they have never done before, moments that every family should be able to enjoy, “We’re especially excited to try new things – like going for a beach walk on our next holiday, which wouldn’t have been possible before.”

The support from Variety has also brought the family financial relief. Zee explains, “Being awarded this piece of equipment has also eased the financial pressure on us. Knowing it was fully funded has lifted a huge weight, allowing us to focus more on making memories with Alexander rather than worrying about the costs.”

We’re incredibly thankful for the support – it’s given our family more freedom and more joy.”

With the right support, children of all abilities can continue to develop and grow. Find out more about how Variety provides support for disabled and disadvantaged children: www.variety.org.uk/how-can-we-help/