This is a piece I had published on the Hallam FM web pages while I was completing work experience there. Sorry there are no pictures to go with my story.
"A young mum is celebrating after returning from America with her son.
Rebecca Williams, from Swallownest, travelled to the US with her son Ben, so he could receive specialist treatment for his undiagnosed condition. And after a four week intense course she says he’s a changed boy.
Ben, 6, suffers with Global Developmental Delay, a hole in the heart, a failure to thrive and epilepsy, just to name a few. Before they left for America Rebecca said life was hard work as Ben had to be supervised at all times.
She said,
“He had very stiff legs, he had very limited motor skills in his hands which meant he couldn’t do things, like play.” He also struggled with eating and talking and had to use Makaton sign language to communicate.
But after a month long trip to a medical centre in America, mother and son are immediately seeing the benefits.
Rebecca said, “It’s like they’ve popped a little bubble and before we went he used to just sit and watch everything that was going off. Now everything he sees he can now do. He’s like a little person.”
The treatment Ben received had various elements from the early morning warm up massages to the specialist therasuit he was given. The suit, like an external skeleton, gave Ben sensory feedback on his muscles for everyday things we take for granted.
As well as this he also had four hours a day of physical therapy, weight training and time spent playing in a ‘Spider Cage.’ The specialist cage “builds up their confidence so they know they’re not going to fall over,” Rebecca said.
After just one trip Rebecca says Ben’s “got a little character about himself which he’s not had before because he’s not been able to express himself.”
It’s far from over for the both of them and as they are now in the process of trying to raise another £10,000 for a return trip to the states in the New Year. Rebecca hopes that future trips will bring even more progress and will help Ben reach his full potential.
She said, “You always look at Ben and think he’s got so much more to give and you’ve just got to try. Try and get the best out of your own child.”
The next fundraiser is a 1960s and 70s night at The Tabard in Herringthorpe Valley Road, Rotherham, on July 22 from 7pm.
A live music event will follow on Bank Holiday Monday August 30 at The Bridge Inn, Rotherham, featuring bands playing all day and into the evening. A magician will also be there to entertain the children.
Rebecca would like to thank everyone who has supported her throughout, her friends, her family and the local community. She wouldn’t have been able to do this without their help.
To learn more about Ben, read about future events and to make a donation log on to
http://www.fundraise-for-ben.co.uk/"
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