Help Tadhg Eat Independently

Hi, my name is Jessica. My amazing nephew Tadhg was born with a rare condition called Arthrogryposis Multiplex Congenita (AMC). This causes multiple joint contractures (stiffness) and involves muscle weakness found throughout the body at birth.

For Tadhg, this has meant he has limited use of his arms, with stiffened joints in his shoulders, elbows, wrists and hands. It also caused an extreme bend and fused joints in both knees, meaning he was unable to walk. Until the age of 6, he was able to get around on his knees, but unfortunately this lead to damage in his feet and he had a double above-knee amputation just before he turned 7.

Tadhg is now 15, is extremely funny, has just sat his junior cert exams, and is an avid gamer.

One hurdle he has not been able to overcome yet, though, is feeding himself. Because of the set of his arms, he is unable to lift them to his mouth to feed himself. Obviously, especially now as a teenager, this makes life very difficult! He always has to rely on others to be available to feed him, and can't eat at his own pace!

This bring us to Obi! Obi Feeding Station is an incredible piece of medical equipment, that helps people with reduced dexterity and/or upper limb mobility to gain a new level of independence through self-feeding.

Tadhg was lucky enough to get to try out an Obi through a local medical distributor this month, and was absolutely blown away by the experience.

Tadhg said it was the first time he enjoyed eating around people in a very long time! (And not just because the rep brought a bag of Malteasers for him to try it with!)

Obi allowed Tadhg to scoop up food whenever he wanted, bring the spoon to a comfortable height, and allows the user to choose between 4 different bowls, meaning they can enjoy different foods together in one meal. It also meant he didn't have to continually ask for another bite between someone else's own mouthfuls. But that was just for one meal (read; snack of chocolate), as it was a 45 minute trial!

This piece of equipment would be an absolute game changer for Tadhg; allowing him to eat independently at home, in school, and when visiting friends and family! All this he hasn't been able to experience in his 15 years!

Unfortunately, there is no funding available for feeding equipment, and they are expensive to buy privately.

This unit will cost €6,480, plus VAT, totaling €7,970.40.

Every penny raised here will go to getting Tadhg an Obi, giving him the incredible opportunity to gain independence, confidence, and to finally find a love for mealtimes with his family!

Please help us give Tadhg this much deserved ability and level of self-sufficiency.