A CRADLEY father-of-three suffering with motor neurone disease (MND) could see his life greatly improved with the help of a specially-modified wheelchair.
Jamie Thompson, 46, is gradually losing the mobility in his limbs after he was diagnosed with the disease in November 2014.
Since his diagnosis, spending time with his children Kiya (ten), Amber (five) and Oliver (four months) has become increasingly difficult as well as everyday tasks including putting toothpaste on a toothbrush, putting his own shoes and socks on, doing up buttons on a shirt, to name a few.
A long-time friend of the family, Zinnia Wilkinson, who has seen the heart-breaking effects the disease has had on Jamie and his family, set up a crowdfunding page to raise money for a special wheelchair which will drastically improve his life.
So far more than £4,500 has been raised to go towards the £8,000 Nino Robotics wheelchair which allows its owner to enjoy mobility on all types of terrain.
Jamie’s partner Sarah Townsend, a 35-year-old who works at Malvern St James Girls’ School, told the Observer the Nino Robotics wheelchair would give him a new lease of life.
She said: “I still wake up every day and can’t believe Jamie’s got MND and that there is no cure. This such a cruel disease. He is such a young man who should be living life to the full with his young family.
“At present, he can’t even go to the local park, let alone participate in other family events and days out. Having this wheelchair will open up new doors for him as it’s self-propelled meaning he can control it independently without having to rely on myself or anyone else.
“It’s simply perfect for him. He will be able to resume family days out such as trips to the park, the beach and venturing up in the Malvern Hills.
“The support we have had has been overwhelming. Jamie hopefully has lots of life left in him still and he would like to embrace this with his children once more.”
Zinnia, a teacher at Malvern St James Girls’ School, believes the special wheelchair will benefit Sarah too and admires how Jamie has coped with life since his diagnosis.
She said: “Jamie always wants to be a part of things and not sit on the sidelines so the chair will help him greatly but it will benefit Sarah too.
“She won’t have to do so much for Jamie as the chair will make him more mobile.
“What I do admire about Jamie is he’s brave and determined. He does not give the impression he’s feeling sorry for himself.”
Anybody wishing to donate can do so by visiting https://crowdfunding.justgiving.com/jamieandsarah.
