Eventually we saw our own Health Visitor who also shared our concerns about his delay and got us referred to a paediatrician. The doctor told us that he had a condition called Global Development Delay as he was behind his peers in more than 2 areas.  

 Fast forward to now and we are almost at Ryders 2nd birthday, he has been seen by a Neurologist at Alder Hay and has undergone an MRI and a microarray blood test. We were hopeful that we would get some answers as to why our gorgeous boy had these delays. The long wait for the results were a nightmare for us as parents but we kept our fingers crossed. The results arrived back as ‘Normal’ for both the MRI and the genetics so we still have no answers.  

 The neurologist told us to expect this, she said we may never get an actual diagnosis only that of GDD.  

 Ryder is not yet able to sit, crawl, stand, walk or talk. And his development is that of a 6 month old. We have worked really hard on getting Ryder to sit, but this has proved difficult and as yet Ryder cannot manage to support himself. We have found a centre that are willing to work with Ryder and provide a standing aid which will allow Ryder to weight bear on his legs and get some control of his trunk as he is floppy in the middle. The centre do assessments every 8 weeks for a 12 month period and at each 8 week review his progress is monitored and if he has responded well the therapy the frame is adjusted so he has to work a little bit harder still. The centre has had lots of experience with Global Development Delay and they are hopeful they can help Ryder gain some independence. However, this therapy is not funded by the NHS so we are looking to fund a course of treatment. A 12 month course costs £6920.  

 We have set our target for £14,000 as we will require ramps installed at the house as Ryder is currently waiting for a wheelchair. We would also love to provide Ryder with a sensory room as he is not good at playing with toys, but he loves sensory lights.  

 If we manage to raise more than our target to fund Ryder into the future with other help and equipment, at £20,000 I will shave my hair 😊  

 Thank you so much for reading Ryder’s story and a massive thank you from the bottom of our hearts if you are kind enough to donate, any amount would really help Ryder to get the very best care and treatment that he deserves.  

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, then the funds 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, then any funds that cannot be used will be transferred to be used for the general charitable purposes of Tree of Hope.