
Help Winnie get the accessible garden of her dreams
Hi all, I'm Kelcie, proud mum to 6 year old Winnie who has a very rare condition, Coffin-Siris Syndrome (only 200 known cases worldwide) This causes developmental delays and means Winnie is unable to walk, talk and needs constant care and supervision. These limitations are difficult but I'd like you all to know she is the happiest, most joyful girl you'll ever meet. She is sociable, hilarious and so loving to absolutely everyone. I guarantee you'd leave any interaction with her with a big smile and a high five. She's a genuine ray of sunshine and I'm blessed to be her mum.
We are fortunate to be moving soon to a flat which (after adaptations) will be more suited to Winnie's needs as a wheelchair user. We've been on the list for a council house for over 3 years with no offers despite us living in a first floor flat. I was told not to expect the two main things I requested for Winnie, a bath and a garden. Bath time is her favourite time of day and Winnie LOVES being outside so a garden is a must for her. So I hunted for a private property which would factor in those needs. With help from family, I found it, a ground floor flat with its own private garden and opportunity for adaptations. With Winnie's limitations, it's getting more difficult to do things at local parks etc alone with her so an outside space where she can safely play will help her tremendously. When Winnie's not being pushed in her wheelchair, she gets around by crawling, she loves the freedom of this so I facilitate it as much as possible. Unfortunately the current garden is not at all safe or set up for her to do this as it's accessed by some steps, is uneven and is made up of patchy grass and a few broken slabs. The local council won't help with this as it's not deemed a necessity and the two charities that could help are closed to applicants for the foreseeable.
So here I am, hoping to raise money to make Winnie's dream garden. This will include some levelling in preparation for rubber tarmac to be poured for the surface so it's nice and soft on her knees, it's long lasting and durable for our Scottish weather too. There are steps leading to the garden so will need to fit a ramp or something for her to access it, and landscaping will be required. A trampoline as she loves bouncing on her knees to music. A sandpit as she's obsessed with sand. (Mand as she calls it) Mud kitchen (my poor washing machine!) Tuft trays for more messy play. Something that spins for her to sit or lay on. A tunnel would be amazing as it's typically her favourite thing at play parks. Maybe a play house/building for winter months, (we don't let the Scottish weather stop us getting outdoors)
And overall to make it bright, accessible and exciting for her.
I will fund as much as I can, with help from family, but I'm Winnie's full time carer and the costs that come with moving home and the things that need done inside the home means it will take years for me to get this done. My girls dream garden could come to life with your help. Any donation at all will be so appreciated, "every little helps" as they say (don't sue me Tesco)
I will update with progress pictures and Winnie enjoying the garden once it's all completed.
Thank you so much,
Kelcie and Winnie xx