Hello, my name is Claudia. I am 14 years old, and I was born with cerebral palsy and epilepsy. I need help with everything, all of the time. Most often, my mom helps me, and thanks to her I am able to do anything. When my mom cannot manage, my dad comes to help me. Without them, I wouldn’t be able to move, eat, exercise, or even go to my treatments.

As I grow older and taller, our home is no longer able to meet my needs. My wheelchair cannot easily fit through our front door. We do not have a suitable bathroom downstairs. Moving around safely and comfortably is becoming harder every day so we urgently need to adapt our home — widening the entrance, creating an accessible bathroom, and installing essential specialist equipment such as a hoist that will help me live with greater dignity and comfort. These changes are not luxuries but necessities that will allow me to move safely, receive care more easily, and reduce the physical strain on my parents.

I also really dream of a wheelchair that would allow me to reach places in nature where a regular wheelchair cannot go. I want to feel the wind on my face, hear the birds, and enjoy being outside with my family. I also need specialised rehabilitation equipment, further treatments and massages that help me be free of pain because right now it is very hard for me to move and do everyday things.

We are hoping to raise £100,000 to adapt our home, purchase vital equipment, and give me opportunities to explore the world safely and comfortably.

Every donation, no matter the size, brings me closer to a more independent and joyful life. Your kindness could help widen my world so thank you for reading my story and for any support you are able to give. It truly means everything to our family.

With gratitude and hope,

Claudia

7.5% of all donations to Tree of Hope in relation to this appeal will be allocated to the general charitable purposes of Tree of Hope to cover our core operating costs.

If we raise insufficient funds, or surplus funds, they will be used, if appropriate, to fund support for our child’s needs in accordance with Tree of Hope’s charitable objectives. If, in those circumstances, we are unable to use all or part of the funds for the benefit of our child, any funds that cannot be used will be transferred to be used for the general charitable purposes of Tree of Hope.