Flaking Into Forty

LATEST UPDATE: Crumlin to UHG Cycle happening Sat, Sept 28th. More info here: https://www.facebook.com/events/2414897862091757/

With your help we can build a better life for Alister

Alister is a very special boy and is part of an even more special family! So that he can live at home comfortably with his parents and 2 big brothers, he needs help. 
So I'm doing what I can to help raise the funds for the Kelly's to get what they need and what Alister more than deserves.
So as part of my Flaking Into Forty campaign (I'll be turning 40 in December, 2019), I will be doing a challenge a month in 2019 - it could be a triathlon, a marathon, a mountain climb...
You name it, and I'll try do it! 
And I'm inviting people to join me along the way - I can offer training support and advice as a Personal Trainer so if anyone else wants to join me for one of the challenges, that would be brilliant!

The first essential piece of equipment needed is The Safety Sleeper. Alister has a safe bed at home the problem is when he is in hospital. The bed is one that is just as unique as Alister is. Unfortunately, this piece of important kit costs €5,000. 

About  "the  bed"!! (from super-mum Kierra)
The most important thing with this specialized bed is to provide a safe place for Alister when in hospital. He has no understanding of danger and can’t see the problem with banging the sides of the bed, or rolling and dropping himself over the edge.
When he gets admitted (which is routinely) there is no bed suitable for him, which means as a parent you cannot leave him for a second - not even to walk to the hospital room door, let alone go to the bathroom or make yourself a cup of tea.
Alister doesn’t sleep well so this means there is no sleep for you in the hospital now as you can’t even lie on those lovely mats on the ground as you need to be over him constantly. Even in sleep, he moves and can fall out.
The bed is also so that we can live a more normal life away from home. As in, he can sleep over in other places, go to family, friends or a night away with this family, which he loves. 
This bed (a piece of furniture which we all take for granted) would mean so much to our family and will even give Alister some independence.

About Alister

Our baby boy Alister is our lovable rogue. He is seven years old and has survived more in his lifetime than many can imagine.
Alister is blind, he was born without eyes, he is hard of hearing, he doesn’t eat so is tube fed into his stomach. He cannot talk or walk. He is very complex medically needing constant care with oxygen and suctioning on hand at all times. Alister cannot do anything by himself and needs help with everything. He had heart surgery at three days old, spent his first year in hospital and is a frequent flier since. He is a Crumlin miracle baby. He was in Resus seven times one year with seizures which are a constant battle, but yet he stays smiling and pushes against all odds.
We have been able to manage the extra costs of Alister till now but unfortunately his increasing needs as he gets bigger are beyond our means. We need help to buy essential equipment and to adapt our home. We need to build a specially adapted bedroom and bathroom with an overhead hoist to safely lift him.

Any help you can give us now or in the future to help Alister have a safe home suitable for his needs is greatly appreciated.

Thank you for your support xx

Kierra, John, William, Arthur & Alister