Let us introduce you to Ryan. Ryan is five years old and has Cerebral Palsy. Cerebral Palsy affects how the brain works in a great variety of ways. 1 in 400 children every year are born with this condition and no two people who have Cerebral Palsy will have the same disabilities. Difficulties at birth can be a factor which causes C.P. but in Ryan's case, even after extensive medical investigation, the cause of him having C.P. is not clear.
Ryan has Athetoid Cerebral Palsy which affects controlled voluntary movements and his balance. He can't sit un-aided, walk or talk. Ryan has difficulty in extending his arms and opening his hands thus finds it near impossible to play with toys or feed himself. As in many children with C.P. this condition has not impaired his mental ability and in fact his intelligence is greater than others of his age.Understandably, this leads him to experience high levels of frustration. Despite this, Ryan has a fantastic sense of humour and is a very loving little boy.
His family have looked into various alternative therapies but were particularly impressed after watching a television programme called "Tomorrows World". The programme featured a specially designed suit for children /people like Ryan which supported the muscles in the body thus helping people to sit without support , arm/hand extension and in some cases full mobility. After taking advice from relevant professionals Ryan was measured and fitted with a half body suit. The results were amazing and for the first time he could sit up unaided. This helped his arm/hand co-ordination and showed immense promise.
The problem is the Lycra suits only have a 12 month life-span and a new one has to be purchased for him every year. Along with other speciality equipment that Ryan needs this is an enormous expense. It was suggested that a trust fund was set up for Ryan to help off-set these expenses and therefore help his parents purchase items for him when needed. Up to now the fund has helped to pay for his first Lycra suit, a custom built chair for him to sit in and a walking frame to name but a few!!
These expenses rapidly deplete his fund and we now find we need to fund-raise once again for his future. His Occupational Therapist wants Ryan to have a three quarter length suit this year and hopefully move onto a full bodied suit next year. This will total a few thousand pounds and is something that will be needed every year. This is what his therapist says about the need for a new suit for Ryan.
"Ryan is a young boy who has had Cerebral Palsy since birth. He is unable to sit upright or hold his head up. He cannot control his hand or arm movements. He has been wearing a dynamic Lycra suit for the last eighteen months. This has helped him to relax his muscles so he can learn these skills. His parents raised the money to buy this suit but sadly he has grown out of it and may now lose all that he has worked so hard to achieve"
The photograph at the top of the page shows Ryan sitting supported by a bean bag. This next photograph shows Ryan sitting upright and being able to grasp a bar. He is wearing the suit under his clothing..you can see for yourself the difference it makes!