As Matthew was approaching his 5th birthday his family realised he was outgrowing his cot, and with his high care needs, the best solution was going to be a special new bed known as the “Medifab Safe and Surround 170 Plus”.  However, the nearly $20,000 price tag would have to be met first and the John MacLean Foundation were approached to provide roughly a quarter of the cost.

Along with other grants Matthew, from Brassall in Ipswich, Qld, has now received his new bed which means he is safer and his family can rest more easily at night.

Matthew has Cri Du Chat so is dependent on his mum and grandma for all of his self-care at home.  He relies on a PEG (percutaneous endoscopic gastronomy) tube for feeding and due his small stomach he is on feeds 22 hours a day including while he sleeps.  As he grew bigger he was at risk of falling from his cot and dislodging his PEG which would mean urgent medical attention.

Matthew’s Occupational Therapist Rachel Carlson recommended this particular and specialist bed for him; “this bed would ensure Matthew and his family are able to sleep safely through the night without risk of Matthew falling from the bed with consequent medical emergency.  The bed also features height adjustability allowing the family to change the height of the mattress to lift and care for Matthew with reduced risk of back injury.”