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The Joshua Hayday Helping Hand Trust has been established in loving memory of Joshua James Hayday, born 18.09.2008 died 04.08.2009. The aim of JHHHT is to assist projects that will provide real practical support to families, such as respite care, assistance with transport needs and equipment.

Joshua was born following an uncomplicated pregnancy, during which there had been no reason for concern.
However at birth Joshua was very floppy and it was not long before he had experienced his first seizure. It soon became clear that Joshua was not suffering from an infection and an MRI brain scan a week after birth indicated polymicrogyria – additional folds in the brain which lead to physical and learning disabilities and seizures.

Caring for Joshua was extremely difficult throughout his short life. Joshua’s parents had to cope with the grief for the healthy child they had expected whilst trying to cope with Joshua’s condition and the many physical, logistical and above all, emotional demands that caring for Joshua brought.

The experience of Joshua’s parents and their families has made them determined to help other families facing the same terrible circumstances.   It is hard to overestimate how devastating it is to discover that your child is seriously ill and/or severely disabled and the enormous strain that families are subjected to in trying to do the best for their children and keep going with some semblance of “normal” life – families still need to work, run homes, look after other children and take a break, things that other families take for granted.