We’d like you to meet Emma..
Emma playing the cello in her new Whizz-Kidz wheelchair
Emma is a typical 11-year-old.
She loves acting and singing with her friends at school. She has cerebral palsy which, until she received her first powered wheelchair from Whizz-Kidz in 2014, left her feeling restricted and frustrated at her lack of independence.
Emma’s Mum Penny says, ‘Emma is a very sparky, proactive girl and she was tired of relying on adults to push her around and desperate for more freedom. She also missed interaction with others and struggled with people looking past her and talking to her helpers instead.’
Whizz-Kidz and the NHS
The NHS had problems providing the height adjustable chair Emma really needed. Thankfully her parents were put in touch with Whizz-Kidz who were able to offer a powered chair which boosted her confidence and gave her more independence.
Emma at the London Youth Games
Since getting her powered wheelchair Emma has been able to get involved in a host of community activities, from playing Bocia for Team Richmond at the London youth Games to joining her school choir and drama group.
Penny explains, ‘With the help of her powered wheelchair Emma can rise to the same level as fellow choir members so that her voice can be heard. She’s also starred in school drama productions, including playing Titania in Shakespeare’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream. The chair helped her move around the stage with confidence, she even decorated it with big fairy wings and sparkling lights which helped her get into character.’
Emma as Titania
‘The impact the powered wheelchair has on Emma’s life is astonishing. Before, we had to focus on the simple stuff, like going from one place to the next. Now, she has more self-confidence— and a busy schedule. Our biggest problem now is being able to keep up with her.’
Whizz-Kidz estimates there are still over 70,000 children in the UK waiting for the right equipment to fit their young lives. The right wheelchair and mobility equipment is not automatically provided on the NHS. Whizz-Kidz aims to work where possible with local NHS services, and aims to ensure that much-needed improvements are made in delivering wheelchair services for children in the UK.
Support Whizz-Kidz and Help Children like Emma
Emma singing with her school choir
Head of Events at Whizz-Kidz, Gurvinder Gregson, said, ‘In order to help children like Emma we rely on people to take up a personal challenge, which will in turn raise enough money to help us give a disabled child an active life.’
If you would like to support Whizz-Kidz by taking part in the Prudential RideLondon-Surrey 100 please contact their events team on 0207 233 9696 events@whizz-kidz.org.uk or visit the website www.whizz-kidz.org.uk/support-us/events-challenges/ridelondon-2015
