Just4Children
Matilda's Story
Just4Children are raising money to help Matilda gain her independence and overcome the challenges of living with Cerebral Palsy. The money raised will go to therapies to help her to hopefully sit, crawl and walk.
Story
Matilda is aged 2 from Hastings in East Sussex. She was born full term with no complications. However, an hour after birth she stopped breathing and had to be given rescue breaths. It is unclear whether this or a preterm infection is what caused her Cerebral Palsy, and it’s something we’ll never know for sure.
When Matilda was around 6 months old we noticed that she wasn’t developing the same way as her peers. She had both hands clenched and her thumbs tucked and she was unable to sit unaided. After months of blood tests, hospital appointments and an MRI, it was confirmed that she has PVL which is a loss to the white matter in the brain which can lead to Cerebral Palsy.
Matilda’s life is not like her toddler peers. Since her MRI in May 2023, Matilda has attended countless hospital appointments. She has daily physio sessions which are key to help her brain to rewire around the damage and to help her to do the things we all take for granted.
We started Conductive Education in January 2024 and Galileo therapy in May 2024 as she is making amazing progress but is longing for some independence.
Matilda is on the waiting list for a place for NAPA for 2024 and we will be applying for a place for 2025 and beyond. These intensive weekly therapies consist of physiotherapy, occupational therapy and dynamic movement therapy but come at a cost of around £7,000 per week. After seeing the difference NAPA can make to children’s lives, we know this is something Matilda would really benefit from.
We are also looking to privately buy Matilda a gait trainer (walking frame) as the NHS is unfortunately unable to fund one for her. This would give Matilda the opportunity to explore her environment independently of us, socialise with her peers and also help with her physiotherapy.
Matilda is also required to wear AFOs which are specially made at The London Orthotic Clinic, and cost around £2,000 per year.
Matilda is the most hardworking and determined little fighter. If you can help her in any way we would be eternally grateful.
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