This Friday November 21 at Sofitel Sydney Wentworth The John Maclean Foundation will be presenting $25,000 in Grants to four young Australians in wheelchairs and their families from the generous donation by ACCOR Australia.
The Grants we will be presenting will include car modifications, back supports, wheelchairs and other chairs to assist in making the lives of these little Aussies easier and enable them to remain included in their every day lives.
Beautiful little 3 year old Addy
One of the little Aussies joining us on Friday is three year old Addy, a little girl who has a suspected diagnosis of Antley Bixler Syndrome (malformations and deformities affecting the majority of the skeleton and other areas of the body) and has very complex medical and equipment needs.
Addy is a full time wheelchair user and has recently undergone hip and knee surgery, joint problems result from uneven tone throughout the body and non-weight bearing.
Following her surgery Addy will be in a brace to keep her legs abducted and is positioned on the floor and in a rigid seat during the day.
Addy will greatly benefit from the Special Tomato floor sitter, which is like a seat on wheels, to provide her with comfort and support while recovering from surgery and provide Addy with support when on the floor to allow her to play with her brother.
The base will also allow Addy to move through the house easily with her parents and brother to ensure she is involved in activities at home.
11 year old Destan who is starting High School in 2015
Another young Aussie joining us is Destan who is 11 years old and has congenital centronuclear myopathy a deteriorating condition resulting in muscle weakness and fatigue.
She is a part of the JMF family already with assistance with car modifications some time back. It is great to be able follow up and help her as she grows.
Destan underwent spinal surgery this year for a severe scoliosis and spinal rotation following surgery she became very unwell and had an extended hospital stay.
We are providing a Quickie Iris tilt-in space – Manual Wheelchair to Destan as her powered wheelchair limits her access on family outings and holiday’s as it requires so much space. She recently had to borrow a manual wheelchair to be able to attend her sister’s birthday party.
Destan is starting High School next year and the V-Trak Seating System we are providing can be used in both her powered and manual wheelchair, which will give her the appropriate support to ensure that she is comfortable and can concentrate on her education as well as increasing her access to social situations.
It is going to be an incredible afternoon and we are looking forward to sharing it with ACCOR Staff and Management.
