Jamie, the disabled son of a Royal Signals veteran, has a new lease of life after we teamed up with three other Armed Forces charities to purchase a purpose-built trike and bed.
Jamie is the young son of Leanne and Graham, a Royal Signals veteran. He has faced multiple health setbacks throughout his short life and is not yet able to walk or talk. He was born with Down’s Syndrome, but at eight months developed a devastating form of epilepsy, Infantile Spasms, which left him confined to hospital for long periods and unable to swallow – even today he is tube fed.
On top of this, he was diagnosed with a bowel condition called Hirschsprung’s disease and now has a stoma bag. Leanne said: “Jamie has been super brave and makes us proud every single day.”
Jamie’s Dad Graham served for almost a decade with the Royal Signals and now works as an electrician. He and Leanne contacted the Royal British Legion in a bid to raise almost £12,000 for a trike and specialist bed to allow Jamie to go on holiday and spend time with his grandparents.
Leanne, who studies Occupational Therapy at the University of Liverpool, said: “We were keen to give Jamie a better quality of life, and had been looking at ways we could raise the money. My Nan suggested ringing the Legion, and that single phone call has changed our lives.”
ABF The Soldiers’ Charity was proud to work with the Royal British Legion, the Kyte Charitable Trust and the Royal Signals Charity to provide the funds. Jamie’s family spent much of the COVID-19 pandemic shielding, but were able to make occasional trips to a local golf course for Jamie to exercise. The trike has transformed Jamie’s quality of life, enabling him to explore the outdoors with his parents and brother, Leo.
Our charity is also supporting Leanne with a three-year bursary towards her Occupational Therapy degree at the University of Liverpool. She says: “It’s just brilliant, knowing there’s someone there to help you.”