On Saturday 3 October I am doing a tandem skydive from 10,000ft in order to raise money for the Dame Vera Lynn Trust for Children with Cerebral Palsy a charity that is very important to our family. This was not something that was on my “to do” list, some have questioned my sanity, also senility has been mentioned, but with a grandson (Dominic) who was diagnosed at 8 months, how could I not, and yes I am petrified!!!!!!! My son in Law is joining me on the jump, he felt he couldn’t miss the opportunity to push his mother in law out a plane, he is the envy of all his friends.
The Dame Vera Lynn Trust for Children provides the funding for School for Parents which Dominic has been attending for over 2 years now. It is a free to all service which has been a lifeline to Gary & Sarah, Dominic’s parents; it was pretty much the first specialist service they received once Dominic was diagnosed with Dystonic Spastic Quadriplegic Cerebral Palsy. In lay mans terms this means it has affected his motor skills, he is unable to sit independently and is unable to walk but possibly will be able to aided when he is older. He is at a level with his peers as far as his social,language & skills are concerned so we feel very fortunate. School for Parents lifted the doom and gloom which understandably affected the family; they focused on what Dominic could do by breaking down milestones into achievable goals.
The service supports families through the early years and helps to ensure that their child achieves their maximum potential to become a more integrated member of society. The principles taught at School for Parents apply to the families' daily lives at home, school and at play. They are taught with, and through the parents which is incorporated into the children’s routines at home. Conductive Education achieves active purposeful movement and empowers the child to make choices, to become independent and take responsibility for themselves.The Dame Vera Lynn Trust has full responsibility for funding this service and needs to find more than £300,000 every year through voluntary contributions to secure this vital service.
Dominic thoroughly enjoys his time there and the staff have become very much an integral part of his support system, also friends to Gary & Sarah. Their endless support in many different ways has been invaluable.to the whole family. If you feel you would like to sponsor me any contribution will help to enable more children and parents to benefit from this very unique school. Wish me luck and when you are blessing the harvest on the 3 October say one for me as I come screaming out of a plane at 120mph at 10,000ft, freefalling 5000 of them, I will need more than communion wine when I land.
