It was the 25th of January when we received the MRI results back confirming that Poppy had suffered a stroke. She had been diagnosed with Cerebral Palsy, Right sided Hemiplegia. This means that Poppy has paralysis of one side of her body, mainly affecting her hand and her leg. Our hearts broke.

After Poppy's diagnosis we had and are still having many appointments and meetings with Paediatricians, Physiotherapist, Orthotists, Occupational Therapists and Audiologists. We soon came to a realisation that to our healthcare team, Poppy wasn't an individual, innocent child that needed care and support but yet another generalisation. A number.

When Poppy was diagnosed we were added to a Facebook Support Group. As parents we felt that the members, fuelled by passion to help themselves and their children, are far more encouraging and supportive than Poppy's appointed Health Care Professionals. It was a member that recommended the Early Intervention Scheme at The Bobath Centre in London to us. The Bobath Centre is a specialist treatment centre providing individual therapy for children who have Cerebral Palsy and other allied neurological conditions. Their aim is to improve the quality of life for children so that they are healthy and active, and can participate in everyday life to the best of their ability.

I spent the night researching and reading more about Intensive Physio and Early Intervention. With fantastic reviews and positive outcomes for children the same age as Poppy, we knew this was what we had to do. Or at least try to do. With excitement, I bounded to our family exclaiming that I had found something potentially life altering for Poppy. I contacted the centre with the understanding that the intensive two week block of daily therapy was charity run. Unfortunately, if you're unable to get support from the NHS, you can be expected to fund the treatment yourselves. We approached consultants asking for them to help us with our request for funding. We were told it would be passed onto secretaries to look into...This is when we realised that Poppy would never get the help she so rightly deserves and very much needs if her parents didn't advocate for her.

So here we are. Asking for help. It takes a lot to ask for help for ourselves, doesn't it? But asking for help for your children...

Please visit the website of The Bobath Centre to see for yourselves the incredible achievements made by those who have experienced the support from those at the centre. https://www.bobath.org.uk