Parents of Inverness girl Sophia Walsh give thanks for new specialised wheelchair
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A SCHOOLGIRL with a rare disability has found new mobility thanks to an overwhelmingly generous response to her family’s appeal to buy her a specialised wheelchair.
Milton of Leys Primary School pupil Sophia Walsh (10) suffers from a form of cerebral palsy which affects all four of her limbs, and leads to muscular discomfort when she has to sit for long periods in a conventional wheelchair.
Her parents Tracey (42) and Steve (53) heard about the special chair that could raise Sophia to a standing position, and launched a Stand Up With Sophia online appeal to raise the £25,000 cost of one.
Mrs Walsh contacted the Courier to thank the people who have helped make Sophia’s dream a reality.
She said: “We are so very grateful to the people of Inverness and the Highlands for making her wish come true.
“The ability to be more independently in control of her own body is the best Christmas present she could possibly have.
“We are absolutely gobsmacked at the support we have received from groups and individuals, local families, friends and the kindness of strangers.
“People have not only been generous with their money, but also with their time and thoughtfulness by asking how they can help.
“To raise £25,000 in just three months is absolutely astounding, and well beyond our expectations. We are so very grateful to each and every person who has helped Sophia realise the dream of getting this chair, empowering her with more freedom and independence to control her own body.”
Sophia said: “I enjoy standing when I need to, and it gives me independence to change position whenever I want. I finally feel like everyone else.”
Mrs Walsh added: “She can be more on the same level as her friends and get even more involved in activities.
“Sophia loves to stretch her muscles at the end of a busy day by changing the position of her legs and back, something she couldn’t do in a static chair.
“The chair is so much faster too, so she can now give her sporty sisters a run for their money when out and about.
“These things might seem small to more able-bodied people, but they are huge leaps for her and will really benefit her development on a holistic level.”
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