Last week, our son, Curtis Ratcliffe, undertook a wheelchair assessment for using a Smart Mustang Power Chair. This wheelchair and associated equipment allows Curtis to travel independently along a pre-determined route using a head switch as his method of control. We were absolutely amazed by the results as it was very evident that Curtis made positive decisions to turn his head in order to operate the chair.

Curtis is now seven years old and really is our "miracle child." He came to live with us when he was only a few months old, and after quickly falling in love with him, we adopted him - alongside his big brother Haydn, and then the two girls, Phoebe and Bella, followed shortly after this! We are now a family of two dads and four kids. As well as being adopted, Curtis has a range of medical and learning needs which meant he is defying all the odds and at the age of seven, leading a happy and healthy life. We have the odd scare - particularly when Curtis gets a chest infection (which can lead to pneumonia) - but he copes incredibly well with his epilepsy, cerebral palsy, global developmental delay, blindness, microcephaly, breathing difficulties and scoliosis.

For a child such as Curtis, with such limited mobility, seeing him able to use this chair was hugely emotional for us all – but just went to show what is possible for Curtis in developing his sense of fun, play and of course a sense of independence too. We have included some photos of Curtis using the chair.

Obviously, this type of chair is not freely provided for Curtis, and so we have received a quote, totalling just under £20,000. Our family will do everything it possibly can to provide this chair for Curtis – but we are seeking funding from any and all sources, who may wish to support Curtis in receiving this innovative chair.

Over the next few months, all members of The Ratcliffe Family will be undertaking some sponsored events to raise much needed funding. Kyle will be abseiling off of the Orbital at The Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, all members of the family will be doing a sponsored 1K run/walk and we will be doing some selling of plants and eggs from our garden. We expect these fund raising events though to only make a small dent in the £20,000 of funding required.

If you are able to give anything to help Curtis gain this amazing, innovative chair, we would be hugely grateful. As I am sure you can understand, we will do anything we can in order to provide for all of our children, and so we hope you don’t feel offended us asking for your support.