Joshua is 10 years old and lives near Canonbie in Dumfriesshire. He was born 2 months early weighing only 3lb 14oz. At 1 year old he was sent for an MRI scan because he wasn’t reaching milestones. This revealed he has Cerebral Palsy and as time went on we learnt the type of CP was Diplegic, affecting Joshua’s legs.

Joshua has a love of life and is always smiling and cracking jokes. Physiotherapy and stretching are daily in his life. He goes through such a lot, early morning physio and exercises before school and repeated during the day.

With your help and fundraising Joshua had his SDR surgery in June 2021. This has immensely helped Joshua - he no longer wakes during the night distressed and upset with extremely painful cramp in his leg muscles, he has free-er movements and is able to transfer between walker / wheelchair / chairs / floor etc much easier.

We are now looking to raise funds to add to Joshua’s ‘pot’ to help with the purchase of specialist equipment Joshua needs to maintain and improve his strength, independence and mobility.

In particular an Innowalk machine which is a dynamic motorised device which offers physical activity to those like Joshua who can not stand or walk independently. The Innowalk can improve Joshua’s strength, walking pattern, help reduce his muscle contractures, help keep his bones strong and healthy and keep him fit and active as he grows older. The Innowalk would really give Joshua a chance at building strength and keeping fit in a manageable way for him now and in his future.

And a Trekinetic GTE all-terrain powered wheelchair to enable Joshua to enjoy the great outdoors with family, friends and even school when doing ‘outdoor learning’ at the local woods.

It is an adult sized chair but for children there are special cushions to ‘convert’ it to fit children, so the chair can ‘grow’ with Joshua and he can continue using as an adult. Its amazing on different terrains such as grass, snow, beaches etc so with our countryside lifestyle it will enable Joshua to access everywhere with his family and friends – just the way it should be.

Further funds would be used for any further specialist equipment and physiotherapy which may be required by Joshua in the coming years too.

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