Catherine and Kirstie Fields are identical 22 year old twins from Llanelli who have a very rare progressive degenerative neuromuscular disorder, they are the only two people in the world who suffer from the condition which has since been named after them ‘The Fields Condition’. When they were born they had no known problems, the problems started at the age of 3 when they had some problems with their balance and co-ordination. They went through all the normal milestones of crawling, walking, talking, singing and riding their bikes. As they got older their problems got worse they started using walking frames at the age of 7 years and wheelchairs when they were 9 years old. Now at the age of 22 they have had everything taken away from them slowly. First it was their independence on their walking, then washing and dressing themselves, then their speech which they have now lost all together, they are now unable to eat or drink and rely on being tube fed. Their condition also subjects them to frequent muscle spasm. Because it is such a medical mystery there is little information on how to counter or cure the condition or what their future holds.
Catherine and Kirstie are in desperate need of support to help to create a much needed living/kitchen space for the girls which fundamentally is appropriate and suitable for their needs. The girls are in a sense trapped in a living space that is considerably too small and no room for the specialist equipment that they need. Catherine and Kirstie also require carers throughout the day and night, and due to limited space the carers have to stay overnight in the main living room and although the family really value the support which they now could not manage without it is understandably difficult having carers in your home day and night with no privacy. The extension would mean that the girls could have their own living room/kitchen which would be big enough for their equipment and improve their quality and enjoyment of the life.