Freddie's Freedom - A life Without Boundaries

Hi, we're Aimee and Ollie, Freddie's Mum and Dad, and with the help of Fred's siblings, Bella (9) and Jago (7), we're raising funds to buy Freddie a wheelchair that will give him freedom and independence. A life with no boundaries will enable him to experience life fully with his siblings, family and friends. He will no longer be isolated at home whilst everyone else experiences the world around them, and we'll never have to split our family again.

Freddie has a rare genetic condition called TUBA 1A, is Autistic, and had a stroke before birth. These diagnoses contribute to a severe learning disability, colossal anxiety and many other mental and physical challenges.

After many years of intensive physiotherapy, Freddie learnt to walk, but sadly, his mobility has been declining over the past few years, even with continued intervention. His bones have grown twisted, he wears knee-high splints on both legs, and his left foot, in particular, is rapidly declining in mobility and function. The near future holds a very real possibility of him needing surgery to break his feet and reset them to give him a chance of walking at all.

He tires easily and experiences pain in his legs and feet which means he can't walk any real distance, and it takes him a long time. Freddie cannot join in with so many activities he would like to do as a family. We have to split up to walk our dogs, discover beaches, take a trip through the woods or over the fields to make dens, trick or treating, attend a fireworks display, or even go into town to look around the shops.

Check out this video on YouTube of all the things we wish to be possible for Freddie.

We will use the funds raised to buy Freddie a specialist, custom-built wheelchair. A Trekinetic All Terrain ultra-lightweight power chair. This wheelchair is like no other, and a standard set of wheels just doesn't cut it when you live in a rural area.

Freddie will be able to explore beaches when we go on holiday, take a trip to the Peak District as a family, walk the dogs across the field and never have to wait at home again. It's hard saying no to Freddie when we know he won't be able to manage the activity physically. With two very active siblings to consider, we have had to get used to living in this way. The Trekinetic would mean we could be a fully inclusive family again, and Freddie could live his life without boundaries. Something we all want for all of our children.

We visited a Trekinetic supplier to try out this super set of wheels to ensure they are suitable for Freddie. He was terrific at driving it, and he smiled so wide when he realised he could do it.

Bella (9) and Jago (7) have committed to climbing Snowdon to the summit in the October half-term to support our fundraising efforts. Please show your support for them. It will give them some much needed encouragement.

Thank you so much, from all of us, for your support. You'll never know what it truly means to our funny, determined, not-so-little, 11-year-old boy, Freddie and our whole family.

https://youtube.com/shorts/0WSIQriLnoo?feature=share