THE PARENTS of a disabled child are calling on the Malvern public to support their heart-warming appeal to fundraise for a life-changing chair which will make him feel more comfortable at home and on his travels.
Jack Cross, from Leigh near Malvern, suffers from microcephaly – a condition associated with incomplete brain development which has left the eight-year-old with growth delay, epilepsy and hip dysplasia.
The youngster has had botox injections to loosen his muscles but is unable to relax with his family on the sofa because he leans to one side, meaning the only safe place he can sit down in is in his rigid seating system.
Jack, who goes to Fort Royal Community Primary School in Worcester, can only tolerate his seat for short periods and leading charity for disabled children Newlife Foundation is joining the family’s aid in their bid to raise more than £1,400 for a specialist seat to improve Jack’s life.
So far Newlife Foundation has raised £487 towards the ‘PPod chair’ which has a moulded seat on a bean bag base to offer a comfortable seating position which improves posture and safety and will provide a funding pot where donations can me made.
And Jack’s family is hoping ‘local heroes’ will come forward and help raise the remaining £974 for the vital piece of equipment which will enable him to enjoy his hobbies of reading, listening to music and playing instruments in more comfort.
Jack’s mum Lynette Ching said: “Jack’s rigid seat keeps him secure and safe but does not offer him any comfort.
“It’s so upright it leaves him with no room to relax. He is in his seating system for most of the day so having a place to sit in comfort with the rest of the family is very important.
“With a PPod, Jack will be able to join in with the rest of the family. What’s good about the chair he needs is that it has wheels so we would be able to transfer him easily to wherever we are in the house.”
Newlife say money raised above the target will be used to help other children in need of life-changing equipment.
Jack is one of seven families in Worcestershire who currently need specialist equipment totalling more than £10,400 which is why Newlife has a dedicated county fund to give people the opportunity to help disabled people in the area.
To support Jack, visit http://tinyurl.com/h76nlf2.
Alternatively, contact the Newlife County Liaison Team on 01543 431 444 or e-mail [email protected].
