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Paul Bird raised £1,381 from 31 supporters
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Closed 05/01/2018
Iʼve raised £1,381 to Purchase a new wheelchair for Jack and give him his independence back which is priceless. Total cost £17,259
- Leeds, United Kingdom
- Funded on Friday, 5th January 2018
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Story
My son Jack was involved in a road traffic accident earlier this year which wrote off his wheelchair accessible car but also wrote off his powered wheelchair which was in the back at the time. His car will be replaced through the Motobility scheme but this doesn't cover his wheelchair. We were forced to buy an old one off ebay after the crash that is holding together for now but it is outdated and we can't get the spares.
Jack suffers from an ultra rare genetic disease called Morquios, he relies on his wheelchair to get about, it is his legs effectively. Another implication of the disease is he is of very short stature standing at 125cm tall , this is his full adult height. The wheelchair he needs like his old one has the ability to raise him up to almost average adult height. This is important for his quality of life and independence. The adaptions in our bungalow rely on the ability to raise up in this wheelchair, going into shops and reaching things off the shelf, going to the bar! At the moment due to the unreliability of the chair he has and without a car he has lost most of the independence he had come to enjoy.
As Jack is nearly 21 there are very few charities that you can approach for help with funding for powered wheelchairs. It's crazy as there are quite a few that are available for under 18's. Do people think once you get over 18 you don't need a wheelchair anymore? When we received the quote for a new chair it was mind blowing given that the local NHS wheelchair service has allowed £2300 to replace his old chair on the voucher scheme. Jacks wheelchair is unavailable though the NHS hence our appeal for help.
To make matters worse Jacks younger brother Lewis who has the same condition needs his powerchair replacing to due to age and wear and tear. "Luckily " he is under 18 so we have applied to other charities to see if they can help otherwise the total needed would be close to £35,000. As parents we are trying to do right by our children.
Updates
8
7 years ago
Paul Bird
7 years agoWe would like to thank everyone who has helped us get where we are. We have today received confirmation that a multi millionaire benefactor who wishes to remain anonymous has agreed to fund the shortfall in order to get Jack his wheelchair! What a start to the year!
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7 years ago
Paul Bird
7 years agoWell a month over ,it has been itchy and scratchy at times and the grey seems to be outstripping the brown both in number and length. who would have thought grey hair grows faster? Not sure if this is the new me! Any how thanks to everyone who has supported us and now over to Julie to GO DRY. given her liking of Budweiser it's going to be a challenge.
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7 years ago
Paul Bird
7 years agoWell 5 days in and the stubble is growing! I'll be able to stop apologizing to people soon for looking like I've just been too lazy to get a shave. Thanks to all who are backing us and Trevor who has his own page going for Jack, under Trevor Yeoman.
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Paul Bird started crowdfunding
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Supporters
31
Kathryn Haywood
Dec 5, 2017
Hi Julie and Pail - Good luck with your challenges from the Haywoods x
£20.00
Sally Fisher
Dec 3, 2017
£10.00
william hoare
Dec 3, 2017
All The Very Best Paul And JulieWith All Our LoveBill, Shelley And Mitchell xx
£20.00
Helen Parker
Dec 2, 2017
Good luck with the challenges Paul and Julie!! Let's hope you are able to get the money you need!!
£10.00
Jo Bryce
Dec 1, 2017
Good luck - especially with the dry January! X
£2.00
Sarah Bird
Nov 30, 2017
Good luck Julie and Paul! I think the beard will suit you Paul and I want regular photo updates! Good luck for January Julie!Such a lovely family, you deserve the help. Love Sarah, Jase & James xx
£10.00
Clare Hughes
Nov 30, 2017
Hope jack gets what he deserves.With love Clare John George Xxxx
£20.00
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Paul Bird
Leeds, United Kingdom
Hi I'm Paul, married to Julie and proud father of two fantastic boys with a ultra rare disease. We learned 21 years ago that you have to fight for everything, especially when you start the race at a disadvantage. Anyone out there in our position knows what I am talking about.