A chance in Life
Tax deductible
Today, Id like to share with you my story and the long journey that we've been on individually but also as a family. However, firstly and more importantly I want to introduce to you the star of the show, my beautiful daughter Barley-Rae
Barley is a the most wonderful child you could ever imagine. Everything that a parent would seek in a child. Comical, loving, caring and always full of the joys of spring. At 3 years old she's a proud big sister and will let everyone know this if she ever catches your glance! She wants to get involved in everything and enjoys the prettier more dainty side of life yet gets slightly annoyed that dad hasn't quite mastered a "fishtail" plait even after many attempts.
Our journey began when Barley was 6 months old. We noticed that she wasn't rolling and when encouraged to reach out and grab things she would only do so with one side of her body. After several weeks of this we decided to take her to the doctors who then referred us to the hospital and sent her for a brain scan. Upon receiving the results we found out that she had had a bleed on the brain whilst in the womb and this had caused a significant amount of brain damage to the left side of her brain. She was diagnosed with having Right Sided Hemiplegia which falls within the spectrum of Cerebral Palsy and that there would be long lasting damage and limitations for the rest of her life.
Inevitably, the news of this shook us all to the core and our world changed forever within that moment. Disbelief, anxiety, loss and shock were all emotions that were felt and this was the start of a very dark period in our life's. What we'd thought would be parenthood was torn from us and we found ourselves not knowing the answers to the many questions that were now in front of us. Denial did creep in, but the hard truth was that this was something that we had to deal with and find the answers to those questions., however that may be.
Barleys struggles on a daily basis to do the things that most able body people take for granted. She is delayed in her speech and has limited movement in her right arm and leg. Simple things like getting dressed, going to the toilet and eating are all a real challenge for her and it takes everything in her just to come close to been successful. One magical moment happened a month or so ago when she walked for the first time in her braces without her frame! The joy on her face was out of this world and she said "Daddy, I'm like my friends now" which really did strike a chord within me! She has the courage and determination of a lion, is a real trier and has to fight for the "norm" She never gives up and has put more effort in to get where she is today in 3 years as a child would in 10!
Her courage and bravery as had a profound effect on all of us. The drive and positive nature she shows has lifted us all up and that's why I find myself here today.
Whilst my story is on a personal basis, I want to broaden awareness to the struggles in everyday life for families with disabled children and want to do this by fundraising for a wonderful charity I've come across called - Contact. They offer life changing support and guidance to families and help a child with a disability live life without limitation irrespective of the child's additional needs. Without charities like Contact out there the struggles would be profound and its with this thought in my mind that I'm here and looking for a little bit of your support.
I and several friends are undertaking the National Three Peaks Challenge in 24 hours looking to get to the top and down again of Snowden, Ben Nevis and Scar Fell Pike! This may have been done before, but it's certainly the biggest single challenge I've undertaken and if Barley can face challenges every day and stride on, then I can do this not only for her but for the many families that can relate to the story I've told.
**Training's going well so far - Two rather than three chapattis with the obligatory Friday Night Curry seems to be having a great impact generally speaking :) ha. Training is in full swing and hopefully I come out of the other end in one piece, setting me up for the next event!
Thank you for sparing the time to read Barleys story. I know that if she was a little older she'd want to be involved with it too. If you can spare a little cash then that'd be hugely appreciated and know that you're changing a child's life along the way. Huge thanks in advance :)
Barley -Rae x
Barley is a the most wonderful child you could ever imagine. Everything that a parent would seek in a child. Comical, loving, caring and always full of the joys of spring. At 3 years old she's a proud big sister and will let everyone know this if she ever catches your glance! She wants to get involved in everything and enjoys the prettier more dainty side of life yet gets slightly annoyed that dad hasn't quite mastered a "fishtail" plait even after many attempts.
Our journey began when Barley was 6 months old. We noticed that she wasn't rolling and when encouraged to reach out and grab things she would only do so with one side of her body. After several weeks of this we decided to take her to the doctors who then referred us to the hospital and sent her for a brain scan. Upon receiving the results we found out that she had had a bleed on the brain whilst in the womb and this had caused a significant amount of brain damage to the left side of her brain. She was diagnosed with having Right Sided Hemiplegia which falls within the spectrum of Cerebral Palsy and that there would be long lasting damage and limitations for the rest of her life.
Inevitably, the news of this shook us all to the core and our world changed forever within that moment. Disbelief, anxiety, loss and shock were all emotions that were felt and this was the start of a very dark period in our life's. What we'd thought would be parenthood was torn from us and we found ourselves not knowing the answers to the many questions that were now in front of us. Denial did creep in, but the hard truth was that this was something that we had to deal with and find the answers to those questions., however that may be.
Barleys struggles on a daily basis to do the things that most able body people take for granted. She is delayed in her speech and has limited movement in her right arm and leg. Simple things like getting dressed, going to the toilet and eating are all a real challenge for her and it takes everything in her just to come close to been successful. One magical moment happened a month or so ago when she walked for the first time in her braces without her frame! The joy on her face was out of this world and she said "Daddy, I'm like my friends now" which really did strike a chord within me! She has the courage and determination of a lion, is a real trier and has to fight for the "norm" She never gives up and has put more effort in to get where she is today in 3 years as a child would in 10!
Her courage and bravery as had a profound effect on all of us. The drive and positive nature she shows has lifted us all up and that's why I find myself here today.
Whilst my story is on a personal basis, I want to broaden awareness to the struggles in everyday life for families with disabled children and want to do this by fundraising for a wonderful charity I've come across called - Contact. They offer life changing support and guidance to families and help a child with a disability live life without limitation irrespective of the child's additional needs. Without charities like Contact out there the struggles would be profound and its with this thought in my mind that I'm here and looking for a little bit of your support.
I and several friends are undertaking the National Three Peaks Challenge in 24 hours looking to get to the top and down again of Snowden, Ben Nevis and Scar Fell Pike! This may have been done before, but it's certainly the biggest single challenge I've undertaken and if Barley can face challenges every day and stride on, then I can do this not only for her but for the many families that can relate to the story I've told.
**Training's going well so far - Two rather than three chapattis with the obligatory Friday Night Curry seems to be having a great impact generally speaking :) ha. Training is in full swing and hopefully I come out of the other end in one piece, setting me up for the next event!
Thank you for sparing the time to read Barleys story. I know that if she was a little older she'd want to be involved with it too. If you can spare a little cash then that'd be hugely appreciated and know that you're changing a child's life along the way. Huge thanks in advance :)
Barley -Rae x
Organizer
Markó Briggs
Organizer
Contact a Family
Registered nonprofit
Donations eligible for Gift Aid.
