TO mark her 40th birthday year Colette Toynton is taking the plunge with a sponsored skydive to help raise funds for a teenage family friend left disabled after being starved of oxygen at birth.
Aaron aged 18, from Croft, Warrington, was born full term after a normal healthy pregnancy but suffered lack of oxygen due to clinical negligence at birth and spent the first three days fighting for his life in Neonatal Intensive care.
His parents clung on to each other to find hope and strength whilst they tried to navigate the most unconventional uncertain journey.
After three weeks Aaron was allowed to go home and at 4 months old he was diagnosed with Cerebral Palsy with MRI scans confirming irreversible brain damage.
Aaron didn’t meet his milestones and although he has developed into a happy, fun-loving sociable boy with the cheekiest sense of humour, a winning smile and a resilience like no other, he has been severely affected physically.
Throughout his life he has required various pieces of specialist equipment to manage his postural needs. He is unable to sit unaided and is reliant on using a wheelchair.
The biggest challenge for Aaron is to control his dystonia where his tone fluctuates from very high to very floppy.
Aaron’s parents sourced an all-terrain buggy so he could access beaches etc and has opened up so many locked doors. This buggy has a custom-made maximising comfort and support but he has now outgrown this. Specialist equipment for disabled people is a niche market and unfortunately, zero’s are added onto the prices and parents are often exhausted in caring for their child/young person alongside having to source and fundraise this essential equipment.
Colette said: “All Aaron’s parents want is for him to be comfortable, happy and relaxed so he can carry on to enjoy his life, socialise which he certainly does at our local pubs where he is a part of the community supported by so many lovely and caring people.
“I turned 40 this year and after years of watching ‘Im a celebrity get me out of here’ and the trial of jumping from a plane, I forever said to my husband….I’d easy do that! Only turning 40 gave my husband the bright idea to book and pay for a tandem skydive 12,000ft in the air!
“Working for a Care Provider – Potens, I understand the difficulties many face in having the correct equipment to enhance their everyday lives and the funding involved to provide this.
“So I am braving it, putting my big girl knickers on and taking the dive! By doing so I would love to be able to raise funds for a very special young man…our friend Aaron.
“Any donations are gratefully received, and a track of progress, updates, end results will be shared.”
Donations can be made online by CLICKING HERE
