There are many, many people to whom we are incredibly grateful - for their donations, encouragement, time and efforts - in helping us achieve the funds to buy Elspeth her wheelchair, and who have continued to support us in the journey thereafter. We feel very privileged to know so many wonderful friends.
About SMASMA stands for Spinal Muscular Atrophy. It is a rare, progressive neuromuscular condition of which there are several different types. Elspeth has SMA type 2 and is not independently mobile. It may affect crawling and walking ability, arm, hand, head and neck movement, breathing and swallowing. More information about the condition, including current treatment and research, can be found on the SMA Support UK website.
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About ElspethElspeth Rose Calvert was born on Boxing Day, 2013. She is a little chatterbox. This is the video we made when we were fundraising for her first wheelchair, even though she is now old enough to have her adult teeth, and lots of opinions, we have left it here because it is super cute.
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About the wheelsElspeth used a Snapdragon wheelchair from Dragonmobility from 18 months to 6 years old, funded through charitable donations and gifts, because of the lack of NHS funding available for young children's powered chairs. It was an immeasurably important piece of equipment, enabling her to participate fully in life.
When Snappy came to the end of its natural life, we had to choose which compromises to make on the next powered wheelchair, and Elspeth decided to sacrifice the ability to go right down to the floor, now she was a little older, for the Balder which has a raiser that enables her to reach up high, and a little extra speed for racing round the place- and dancing. |