Nathalene had a stroke when I was pregnant, which was undetected until after she was born, around three months old. I noticed, along with family members, that Nathalene didn’t have any range and very little movement on the left side of her body. She had lots of tests done, and at 6 months, she was diagnosed with cerebral palsy caused by a stroke affecting the right side of her brain, which controls the left side of her body.

We have raised money for Nathalene to have CIMT (Constraint-Induced Movement Therapy). Thank you so much for all your donations, as this means we should be able to make the payment to the CIMT center soon. This is a constraint therapy not available on the NHS, costing us £9,585.

Since the treatment, Nathalene has excelled in the use of her left hand, as well as other skills she needs for a normal life. We are now fundraising for Nathalene to return to Manchester in June 2021. This will cost £7,085 due to discounts we’ve received for returning to the clinic. We will still need accommodation costs, clothing, and equipment, too. Alongside the CIMT, we are taking Nathalene to a private physiotherapist, as she is very close to walking now. This is at a cost of £144, which covers strength building, sports massage, and conditioning. Nathalene’s brain doesn’t send messages to her left leg like ours does, so this process helps her leg reconnect with her brain as well as strengthening her leg to enable her to have the strength to take her first steps.

Due to her condition, Nathalene has cerebral palsy and will always need specialist equipment to help her have a normal life and the same opportunities as children her age with no medical condition. Any donation is gratefully received. Nathalene wouldn’t have these opportunities without you.

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 objects. If in those circumstances we are unable to use all or part of the funds for the benefit of our child in accordance with Tree of Hope’s charitable objectives, any funds that cannot be used will be transferred to be used for the general charitable purposes of Tree of Hope.