A County Antrim charity that offers specialist support to children living with Spina Bifida and Hydrocephalus has purchased a new all-terrain wheelchair with help from Power NI.
The Quadrix Watt wheelchair has been engineered with a specialist, hi-tech in-wheel suspension system that is proven to reduce neck pain, back pain, and fatigue for users when navigating cobbled – or uneven surfaces – and going off-road, such as forest tracks.
Ballymena-based Love Hope & Faith have been able to invest in the state-of-the-art piece of equipment thanks to a donation received through Power NI’s Helping Hands initiative.
The charity was set up to help people living with Spina Bifida and Hydrocephalus by providing support, encouragement, and a framework of care for those most in need.
Spina bifida is a birth defect where the spine fails to close properly, while hydrocephalus is a condition of excess cerebrospinal fluid building up in the brain. Hydrocephalus often occurs with spina bifida because structural abnormalities within the brain prevent proper fluid drainage, leading to pressure on the brain.
Power NI employee Michelle Kelly nominated the charity through the company’s Helping Hands scheme after hearing about Love Hope & Faith from her cousin, whose son was born with Spina Bifida and Hydrocephalus.
“The team at Love Hope & Faith gifted my cousin with a Zipzac baby wheelchair which was imported from America at a whopping cost of £1,500 and presented it to Jack when he was a baby,” explained Michelle. “This chair has given Jack so much freedom; it allows him to explore, whiz around and play with other children.”
She added: “This little boy will grow up to be a sporting athlete; he has just turned two and can manoeuvre his chair like a pro. This funding from Power NI will be a fantastic boost for the charity to help other children, young people, and adults impacted.”
Love Hope & Faith currently has plans to set up a retreat for families in Northern Ireland if the required levels of funding can be raised. Once it opens, it will provide hydrotherapy and sensory elements within the facility, whilst creating a home-from-home setting to allow families to enjoy quality time together.
Darren McGinty, Chairperson of Love Hope & Faith, said: “Love Hope & Faith extends its sincere gratitude to Power NI for their incredibly generous funding.
“This vital support will significantly enhance our ability to deliver both professional and efficient services to children and families living with Spina Bifida and Hydrocephalus throughout Northern Ireland,” he added.
To date, the Helping Hands initiative has donated tens of thousands of pounds to organisations like Love Hope & Faith, helping them to continue their important work in our local communities.
Find out more on how Power NI is energising local communities.
