My name is Natalie and I'm with you all today in the hopes we can all support a dear friend of mine, Sue and her beautiful family by hearing her son, Daniel's story, your time is immensely appreciated.

Daniel is 20 years old, he turns 21 this April 2026, and like any young man his age, he dreams of independence, freedom, and seeing parts of the world he has never been able to access, places most of us take for granted.

Daniel was born with learning difficulties and spina bifida. Due to the location where his spinal cord was severed, he has no feeling from the waist down. As he grew older, this led to the need for stomas to help him manage daily life with dignity and safety and the use of wheelchairs for mobility.

Sadly, over the last 13 years particularly, Daniel's condition had worsened significantly, eventually exposing bone in his hip area and leading to a serious infection. As a result, the head of the femur in Daniel’s right hip had to be removed. He now lives with a permanently dislocated right hip, causing him to lean to one side and experience ongoing, recurring pain.

Despite everything he has faced, Daniel remains determined. He doesn’t ask for much — he simply wants the chance to explore parts of the world he has never had access to and gain the independence every young person deserves.

Currently, Daniel uses an NHS-provided wheelchair. While Daniel and his family are grateful for this support, the chair is only suitable for smooth, flat surfaces. It cannot handle rough terrain such as parks, countryside walks, hikes, or beaches — places most of us can access without a second thought. The wheels are not designed to cope with uneven pavements, loose stones, or poorly laid surfaces, which can create serious hazards for Daniel very easily. As a family, they have tried several options to resolve these issues, but each one has been unsuccessful so far.

Because of these limitations, Daniel has very little independence. He cannot safely manage curbs or roads on his own and often requires a carer to assist him. If a curb is too high, there is a real risk of his wheelchair tipping backwards, causing injury. Even rocky or uneven pavements can put Daniel at risk and restrict where he can go.

The specialist wheelchair Daniel needs is designed to support his complex medical and mobility needs. It includes a bucket seat with a gel-filled cushion that redistributes his weight as he moves, relieving pressure on his fragile skin. The seating system also includes a cushion with lumbar support to improve posture and comfort, especially important given his permanently dislocated hip.

For his lower limbs, the wheelchair will have a long foot plate fitted with a gel cushion, along with specially adapted gel pads to protect his feet. These adaptations are vital to prevent further wounds and reduce the risk of further serious complications such as more amputations.

We are raising £15,000 to cover the cost of Daniel’s specialist wheelchair and all the essential adaptations and add-ons he needs. This wheelchair is not a luxury — it is life-changing. It will give Daniel greater safety, independence, access to the outdoors, and the chance to explore the world beyond smooth pavements. J

Just to simply feel included is something Daniel craves.

Every donation, share, and show of support and raising awareness brings Daniel one step closer to a safer, more independent future. Thank you for helping us change Daniel’s life, we appreciate you all xxx