As many of you know, Welly sustained devastating injuries in July this year. Since that time, many of us have followed Jude's story on Facebook and by her side and desperately wished that we could help Welly, Jude and the girls more.
Welly has made recovery from his initial life threatening injuries but is paraplegic and also has very limited function in his right arm and hand. He is currently undergoing rehabilitation in a Spinal Injuries Unit and is aiming to be discharged home early next year. He has a steady stream of friends and family to visit and support him but in order for him to have quality of life when he is discharged home he will require a variety of adaptations and specialist equipment.
His family home will be undergoing major adaptations shortly, and many of you have already pledged help ranging from labour to baking cakes and making tea. Your efforts don't stop there as some of the equipment that Welly would benefit from will not be provided through statutory services and must be privately purchased.
As an Occupational Therapist, I feel privileged to have been able to help Welly and Jude to plan the housing adaptations but I still need help to create a purposeful, fulfilling and as independent a future as possible for Welly.
One of the ways we can do this together is by fundraising to provide a specialist powered wheelchair, bespoke to Welly's needs. This wheelchair can put the user in a full standing position - I can see the smile on Welly's face standing at the bar again now - and it can lie flat, tilt, recline and any position in between. It can also negotiate outdoor surfaces. Not only is there a social benefit in standing, but an immense therapeutic benefit to respiration, digestion, circulation- the list goes on.
This type of equipment is life changing to those with such injuries as Welly's. I have had to use my negotiating skills to the maximum with Jude to set this page up and I am counting on the support of many to see this happen.