Wheels appeal for incredibly special nine-year-old Inverness girl Eilidh MacBeth
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A girl with an incredibly rare genetic condition needs help to realise a dream that will transform her and her family’s life for the better.
Eilidh MacBeth (9), from Castle Heather, Inverness suffers from Rubinstein-Taybi Syndrome (RTS), a condition that affects just four in every million people.
Among other impacts, it can cause growth delay and intellectual disability and has affected Eilidh’s development in a number of ways.
Currently non-verbal, she is nevertheless a popular member of the community at Inshes Primary School, with Makaton signing and PODD (an aided language display) used to communicate with her.
Arguably more impactful, though, she can walk only short distances before becoming tired out.
While she has been supplied with a buggy by the NHS that is fine for getting around on pavements, it does not allow her to enjoy more rugged terrain with her friends and family, including brothers Lachie (14) and Angus (12).
The family as a whole enjoy hill climbing and trips to local beaches but more often than not one family member has to be left behind to look after Eilidh while everyone else is out and about.
Until now, where this is not possible, dad Alan has used a carry rucksack to take Eilidh on his back, but as she gets older the family says this is becoming too heavy to be practical.
Family friend Tamara Horsburgh (51) has now set up an online fundraiser in a bid to raise the £2500 needed to purchase an all-terrain Delichon Delta buggy that will ensure Eilidh gets to enjoy the benefits of the great outdoors, together with all of her family.
“Eilidh has global developmental delay but she doesn’t let that prevent her from trying new things and she is constantly surprising and delighting her family with some new-found skill,” she said.
“Although Eilidh can walk relatively well, she tires quite easily and often has a ‘sit down’ protest.
“She usually needs to be carried at some point on a walk.
“The MacBeth family enjoy the outdoors and the countryside, whether it be the park, the beach, woodlands or the hills and mountains.
“It is so important for them as a family to do activities that are healthy and fun for all three children.
“Eilidh’s current buggy is not fit for purpose and the MacBeths have had to stop taking family trips and doing the kind of treks that benefit Eilidh and her two older brothers.”
Mum Heather (48) said of her daughter: “We’re so blessed to have Eilidh in our lives. She’s an absolute joy to have around and her two older brothers adore her.
“We’re lucky and thankful that she is a healthy, happy, smiley wee girl, who brings sunshine into everyone’s life who meets her.”
Delighted by the response there has already been to the appeal she added: “Alan and I are so lucky to have a friend like Tamara, so selfless and thoughtful to others, and Eilidh adores her!
“We’ve truly been pleasantly surprised, overwhelmed, and humbled by people’s generosity – even folk who have never even met us or Eilidh. It’s lovely.
“Having an amazing buggy like the Delichon will offer us more options when choosing and planning family days out or holidays, as it’ll mean all five of us can go a walk together, without straining Alan’s 50-year-old back!”
To donate, visit www.gofundme.com/f/eilidhs-buggy
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