On 21st August I'm taking on my first Wingwalk! Not only is this a great personal challenge for me but also to support a close friends grandson, Laurence. At 3 years old Laurence is yet to find his voice due to his many medical conditions. I'm looking to raise money to purchase an electronic communication device so he can learn to express himself, make choices and engage with all around him.

Here's Laurence's families story:

Laurence was born a perfect little boy, at 15 weeks old Laurence's started to seizure. He was rushed to hospital where he stayed for two weeks and was diagnosed with epilepsy due to a rare brain malformation. As we sat holding our little boy behind the hospital curtain we faced our worst fears. Not only was our little boy going to need medication forever but he may never learn to do what other children do. He may never, sit up, roll, eat, crawl, walk or talk and was unlikely to make it to adulthood. Our world as we new it ended that day, we grieved our sons lost future and started a new journey towards acceptance.

Laurence started to make good progress with therapist support despite his seizures and many new diagnosis of hyper-mobility, low tone, intellectual delay. Then at 15 months Laurence developed a cataract which was closely followed by one in the other eye. In 5 weeks Laurence lost his sight and was completely blind. He went from a happy little to boy to an anxious child who cried every time he was not held. After three operation Laurence's sight was restored and he now wears contact lenses that we put in and out everyday.

At 3 years old Laurence is sitting up, crawling, eating, and despite seizures still progressing well. Laurence has been diagnosed with a very rare genetic mutation which has caused all his medical challenges. He's worked really hard for all the skills he's gained but only has a few unclear words and little means to express himself. As a mum I worry my child won't be able to tell me his joy, his pain, so our next challenge on our journey is to help him find another voice he can use.