A disabled Berrow lady and her mother are celebrating this week after receiving a life-changing buggy from a Burnham-On-Sea charity.
Rebecca Wright, 33, was born with microcephaly, a neurological disorder in which her head is smaller than normal, leaving her unable to speak and suffering mobility problems.
Her carer and mother, Sandra, has been trying for two years to get a specially made wheelchair from the NHS to make it easier to take Rebecca to Highbridge Day Care Centre, which she attends on a regular basis.
“The NHS could only supply a full-sized wheelchair, which was unsuitable for Rebecca because of her size. Various children’s charities could not help because of Rebbeca’s age, so we were stuck,” explained Sandra.
When the Burnham Community Medical Equipment Fund heard about Sandra’s plight, it was delighted to help by stepping in.
And this week, the group’s Tom Ashton and Carol Davies handed over a special buggy worth £1,060 to the delighted pair.
Sandra said: “We’re really grateful for this – it will make a huge difference. I am a sole carer and have back problems, so this new buggy is ideal. It’s small, light and very manoeuvrable.”
Tom Ashton, Chairman of the Burnham Community Medical Equipment Fund, said: “We are always delighted to help people in our community where the system has let them down. This buggy will really change Rebecca and Sandra’s quality of life.”
The Burnham charity is a 21 year-old organisation that has provided more than £200,000 of medical equipment to people throughout the Burnham-On-Sea area since it was set up in 1986. Much of its funds come from legacies and gifts and new donations are always gratefully received.
Our photo shows (front) Tom Ashton of the Burnham Community Medical Equipment Fund with Rebecca Wright and Sandra Wright, with (rear) John and James Payne of Pearce Brothers Mobility, makers of the buggy, and Carol Davies of the Burnham Community Medical Equipment Fund.
