Meet Lucy and Charlie
The power of independence
Lucy and Charlie are two children, a five-year-old and a fifteen-year-old, who couldn’t be more different. Yet they share one fundamental similarity, they’ve both seen their independence and confidence skyrocket since using a wheelchair that works well for them.
Both Lucy and Charlie were featured as part of a piece by The Express, aiming to raise money for our Childhood Can’t Wait campaign.
Lucy
Lucy, described lovingly by her parents as “stroppy and cheeky”, has a manual wheelchair from Whizz Kidz and has recently been loaned a powered chair, to practice controlling and prove to the NHS that she is ready for one.
The Express met Lucy at a Whizz Kidz clinic, where she is having the turning speed adjusted on her powered chair to make it easier to control. She races around the hall, with brilliant control using the joystick.
We were told she’d never walk, talk or sit unaided. There are some things she can’t do, but there’s still a lot of quality in her life. She has grown and surprised us.
Ben, Lucy's Dad
The powered chair gives Lucy independence in her daily life. She can move independently from her bedroom to the bathroom, or to visit her siblings and chat. Or to sneak into the kitchen and cause mischief! She has the freedom to be a child.
It also allows her and her family to make those special memories together that make up a vital part of childhood, like visiting Disneyland Paris and going on other excursions.
Charlie
Charlie also has a powered wheelchair from Whizz Kidz. Charlie lives with his older brother and guardian, and was born with spina bifida and has scoliosis.
The transformation for Charlie has been remarkable. Before he received his powered chair from Whizz Kidz, he moved around by shuffling on the floor. At the hospital, he’s now earned the nickname Charlie the ‘miracle boy’ because of how independent he is now in comparison.
Whizz Kidz are absolutely brilliant. I don’t know what we would have done without them.
Miranda, Charlie's Guardian
Childhood Can't Wait
Helen Braden, a senior mobility therapist at our clinic in Birmingham, sees the impact the right wheelchair can make on a child’s life.
“It’s a lovely job, very rewarding. We’re providing something that really changes the lives of children.”
Find out more about our Christmas partnership with the Express here.