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Dan Bleaken raised £4,190 from 128 supporters
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Closed 05/09/2018
Weʼve raised £4,190 to send Emily for intensive physiotherapy at the Footsteps Centre near Oxford, to help her learn to walk.
- Funded on Wednesday, 5th September 2018
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Story
Emily is 7 years old. She was born with a rare chromosome disorder called 1p36 deletion syndrome. As a result of this, she has complex needs. These include low muscle tone (hypotonia), bilateral hearing loss, a heart condition called cardiomyopathy, and severe learning difficulties. She is non-verbal and communicates through signing Makaton, and a communication aid (computer).
When Emily was diagnosed at 8 months old, we were told by that the doctors that they just didn’t know whether Emily would walk or not, as her condition is so rare. We have always hoped she would, and have spent many hours working on building her core strength. Recently, we have noticed how much stronger and controlled Emily is becoming, and she can now walk with us holding her hands, albeit rather unsteadily!
We have heard many great things about a centre in Oxford called Footsteps. It is a privately run centre that uses physiotherapy techniques from abroad to help children up to 18 years with a variety of conditions. Some other children with 1p36 deletion syndrome have been, and their parents have been amazed by the positive results. It costs £1700 to send someone for 3 weeks of physio – 2 hours a day. One hour on the mat, and the other hour in something called the ‘spider’ which consists of stretchy ropes that are attached to the child to help build strength and balance.
In May we took Emily there for an 'assessment' session. We have felt, and the specialists at Footsteps agree, that because Emily is so close to walking independently, a 3 week course at the centre would really help boost her ability to walk, and her general independence.
This crowdfunding page is just one of the ways in which we are hoping to raise the money. Many kind friends and family members are offering to organise events on our behalf (quiz night, car boot sale, plant sale, half marathon, forest school day...) and we really are so grateful and overwhelmed by the enthusiasm shown by everyone to help Em on her journey.
We are hoping to send Emily in July as they have space available, depending on timings. We will keep everyone updated here to let you know how she gets on!
lots of love, and many thanks,
Dan, Mels, Emily and Tom xxxx
Updates
14
- 5 years ago
Dan Bleaken
5 years agoHi everyone, Emily is starting her 3rd session at Footsteps today, just 2 weeks this time. Still from all of the money you helped us to raise. So thanks again! Apparently this time there will be a pro photographer taking pics for Footsteps' PR with our consent so if we get some good pics of her we'll share them. Thanks again! Mels & Dan x
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- 5 years ago
Dan Bleaken
5 years agoHello everyone, just thought you'd like to know that tomorrow Emily will return to Footsteps to start her 2nd session. She'll be going every morning for the next 3 weeks. And it's all thanks to the money that you helped us to raise. We are even considering organising a third session with the money we still have left over. x
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- 6 years ago
Dan Bleaken
6 years agoHello everyone, just to let you know that this crowdfunding page closes in 2 days. Anybody who has been meaning to donate, but hasn't, last chance! To everybody else thanks again for all of your kind support. Mels, Dan, Emily and Tom x
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Dan Bleaken started crowdfunding
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Supporters
128
Laura Hobbs
Sep 4, 2018
Go for it Emily! X
£5.00
Sam, Stefun, Jago & Otis xx
Sep 3, 2018
Wish we could donate more, we know how much this means to you and we love following Emily’s journey! Good luck for the next block of sessions, we promise to get a date sorted to see you next time xx
£10.00
Nina Holyer
Sep 3, 2018
A small donation from myself, Aimee, Eddie and Theo and lots of luck for contiunue progress with the physio and walking Emily. XX
£20.00
K Perks
Aug 3, 2018
A journey of a thousand miles starts with a single step. love to Emily
£100.00
Emma Trueman
Jul 13, 2018
Sending you all lots of love. I hope Emily enjoys her time at the centre and gets lots out of itLots of loveEm stu kinder and bean xxx
£100.00
Kate Hathaway
Jul 9, 2018
Hope today is the start of wonderful times for Emily!
£10.00
Pauline Laraway
Jun 24, 2018
£15.00
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