Making our house accessible for Kira’s needs

Hi, my name is Natalia Dinsmore and my husband’s name is Michael Clarke. In 2006 we welcomed our first child, Kira Clarke, who is now 16 years old.

When Kira was 3 years old, we noticed that Kira was dragging her left foot while walking, after extensive doctors visits, scans and tests at Temple Street hospital, we got the heart breaking news which every parent would dread that our wonderful young daughter was diagnosed with Pilocytic Astrocytoma, which is a tumor that effects the brain or spinal cord. In Kira’s case her tumor is on her spine (C3 to T3). This means it effects Kira’s walking, balance, muscle tone, muscle weakness etc.

In late 2012 at one of Kira’s regular oncology visit we got de devastating news that Kira’s tumor had grown and immediate action needed to be taken. Kira underwent surgery to remove as much of the tumor as possible.

After surgery Kira’s condition deteriorated and she was left with complete weakness in her left side, and began using a wheelchair for long periods of walking, increased muscle spasms and muscle tone. After seven long seven long weeks Kira was discharged from hospital.

Kira went on and spent months In the National Rehabilitation Hospital to help her recover from her surgery.

Over the next few years Kira continued having visits with the hospital.

In early 2016 Kira was complaining about left knee pain, we took kira to her orthopedic doctor, she underwent scans and we were told that kira tore her meniscus, she underwent surgery later that year. Kira recovered well from this.

In early 2018 Kira’s knee pain returned, we took Kira back to her doctor, had scans done again and was told that Kira tore her meniscus again but it was more extensive this time. Kira underwent surgery again but this time kira did not recover as well as the first time. Kira was left unable to walk unaided and with increased weakness and spasticity in her muscles.Kira is a full time wheelchair user.

4 years on from Kira’s major change in her condition and doctors are still in the dark about why it occurred our main focus now is maintaining Kira’s weaknesses so it doesn’t deteriorate even more.

These past 4 years as parents have been unimaginable,Seeing your child being able bodied and able to walk without assistance to then that suddenly being taken away for an unknown reason has been heartbreaking.

Following on from Kira’s deterioration and she’s unable to walk upstairs which has been extremely difficult as our house is not accessible for Kira’s needs her bathroom and bedroom is upstairs.

Thankfully we’re in the middle of getting kira a fully wheelchair accessible extension built however due to the current problems going on in the world inflation has played a massive effect on the cost of the extension which needs to be fully accessible for kira and her needs.

So we have made the difficult decision to reach to the generosity of the public in hope you will be able to aid us in anyway possible.

We thank you sincerely for your help and generosity in these difficult times,

Kind Regards

Natalia and Michael