Durban girl’s freedom a priority for mum

A CARRINGTON Heights single mum has created a fundraising page to raise money to purchase her daughter a specialised wheelchair and build a wheelchair ramp at her home, and is appealing to the community to support her efforts.

Lara Swales created the GoGetFunding page in August 2018 for her daughter, Abigail, (11), who is fighting Rett Syndrome, a rare genetic neurological and developmental disorder. Rett Syndrome has left Abigail unable to walk and talk. She also suffers with severe epilepsy.

Berea Mail published an appeal in July 2016 for someone to assist in building a wheelchair ramp at Lara’s parents’ home to enable the family to get Abigail out of the house, however there was no response to their plea. Lara is once again appealing to the community to help raise funds for this project.

“Due to financial struggles we have have had to move back into Abbey’s grandparents’ home. There are around 30 stairs going from the house to the road. I can hardly carry her up and down these stairs and its just going to get worse. Currently she weighs about 30kg, pretty soon I won’t be able to carry her anymore. I have had to take her out of school, and her physio now does house visits,” said Lara.

Lara said a builder had visited the house and advised her that a ramp, stair lift or lift would be required because of the steep gradient of the property. She said her goal was to raise funds for building materials to build this, but still needed a builder willing to help with the job.

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“People have asked why my parents don’t sell the house, but they have lived at the property for more than 30 years and cannot afford to sell up and move elsewhere. I cannot afford to leave as I need the support of my family, and my sister is currently employed as Abigail’s carer. This situation is very sad. I don’t want to see my girl house-bound as she should be allowed as much freedom as everyone else,” she said.

Lara said she was currently also raising funds for a wheelchair as Abigail’s current one was too small for her.

“I was quoted R84 000 for a new chair. I am in the process of raising funds for that first, as it is a priority. Abbey had a spinal fusion last January as she had developed scoliosis which was affecting her pelvis. It has been a great success, as before the operation she would fall over after a minute of sitting, and now she can sit for up to three hours at a time. I need to get this wheelchair for her so she can continue to make progress. Through physio, she is almost standing on her own. I am also looking into getting a standing frame for her,” said Lara.

She said she was excited about a recent donation of a Tobii, which will help Abigail communicate.

“At a recent hand cycling event I met Oliver and Michelle Sinclair. Oliver has multiple sclerosis and he helped organise the donation of the Tobii through the Ryan Walker Foundation. It will be so exciting to be able to communicate with Abbey,” she said.

If anyone can help with donations for the wheelchair and the ramp/lift, visit the GoGetFunding page, Abigail’s Freedom, at https://bit.ly/2ZvStMs.