Charity aims to help Abbie take her first steps

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Shaun-reid

WHEN Warrington youngster Abbie Heaney failed to reach her normal development milestones it was first thought she was a late developer.
But when she developed repetitive hand movements and showed no signs of saying her first word or taking her first steps, further tests revealed the Stockton Heath youngster had the rare condition Rett Syndrome, which mainly affects girls.
Her parents had never heard of the condition but now have linked up with the Warrington based national charity Brainwave who are developing a specialist programme aimed at helping Abbie learn to walk.
Brainwave help children with disabilities and additional needs to achieve greater independence. Aiming to improve mobility, communication skills, and learning potential, through a range of educational and physical therapies,their therapists work with the family to devise a unique programme, specifically designed to suit that child’s needs, which will help and encourage them to unlock their own child’s potential.
Some Rett children lose the ability to speak, although now aged two-and-a-half, little Abbie has still not spoken.
She has also struggled with hand co-ordination and is still crawling.
Abbie first visited Brainwave in May 2014, a few weeks after her diagnosis.
Mum Sarah said:”We are still coming to terms with Abbie’s uncertain future but the staff at Brainwave have given us hope.
They concentrated on the positives of what Abbie could achieve. From our two day initial assessment we came home with a physio programme designed to encourage Abbie to progress.
“Her daily physio exercises are paying off as Abbie becomes stronger and more mobile. Each visit to Brainwave builds upon what she has achieved – with the ultimate goal of getting her to stand and then walk-and with Brainwave’s help we will get her there! We can’t thank enough the fantastic and committed staff that work tirelessly with Abbie and other children like her.
“We see Brainwave as an integral part of Abbie’s future, a positive and motivating influence on us as parents, and we are grateful that Brainwave is there for us as a family. Like many other families, we rely on Brainwave for our daughter’s future and could not be without it and its amazing staff.”
A fund-raising event which takes place at the Cardamon Indian Restaurant tomorrow, Wednesday, (March 4), which includes special guests, Warrington Town manager Shaun Reid and Gareth O’Brien from the Warrington Wolves, is already a sell out, with further fund-raising events planned in the future.
Joanne Freeman, Brainwave’s Community Manager said “Brainwave’s therapy centre, based in Warrington, receives no funding from the government or NHS to help local families like the Heaney family, we are so very grateful to the local community and companies for their continued support to help disabled children.”
Anyone who would like to help raise funds for the charity, then please contact [email protected].

Gareth-O'Brien-20


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Experienced journalist for more than 40 years. Managing Director of magazine publishing group with three in-house titles and on-line daily newspaper for Warrington. Experienced writer, photographer, PR consultant and media expert having written for local, regional and national newspapers. Specialties: PR, media, social networking, photographer, networking, advertising, sales, media crisis management. Chair of Warrington Healthwatch Director Warrington Chamber of Commerce Patron Tim Parry Johnathan Ball Foundation for Peace. Trustee Warrington Disability Partnership. Former Chairman of Warrington Town FC.

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