A MOTHER and son from Worcestershire are the face of a new fund-raising appeal by Acorns Children’s Hospice to call on people to ‘make a splash’ for local families.
Acorns Summer Splash Appeal highlights the importance of hydrotherapy and asks supporters to make a donation to help the charity continue providing this vital service for every child and family who need it.
Catherine Atkins knows only too well how this essential therapy helps relieve the pain and discomfort experienced by 10-year-old Jack, who has hypoxic-ischaemic encephalopathy and cerebral palsy.
The Bromsgrove mum said: “When your child is in pain or discomfort, you can often feel helpless. All you want is for them to feel better. For my son, Jack, hydrotherapy in the special pool at Acorns is the answer. That’s why I wanted to help Acorns with their Summer Splash Appeal.
“As Summer approaches many of us will take our children to the seaside or local pool as we know they love a splash about in the water. For them, this is a fun activity but for children like Jack, being in the water and receiving hydrotherapy is crucial. It provides much needed pain relief. Which is why I want to ensure this service is always available for children who need it.”
Jack was born with the umbilical cord wrapped tightly around his neck and his brain was starved of oxygen. As a result, he lives with cerebral palsy and epilepsy. He has no control of his body and uses a wheelchair.
This means his muscles can become very stiff and painful meaning Jack needs intense physiotherapy daily. This is supported with hydrotherapy sessions at Acorns for the Three Counties in Worcester, during which Catherine says ‘the warm water instantly relaxes’ Jack.
She explained: “In that moment he appears pain free, and I get to see him smile.”
The hydrotherapy pool also brings Catherine’s family together to create precious memories – something that would not be possible in a public swimming pool because of Jack’s complex care needs.
Catherine said: “The hydrotherapy pool at Acorns is very special. It isn’t just a regular pool. It’s much warmer than a public pool which is important for Jack because cold water can trigger his muscle spasms.
“The warmth also instantly relaxes his muscles so the physiotherapist can treat him in a more effective way. Being supported by the water also means his body isn’t having to support itself.
“When Jack was younger, I did try taking him to a public swimming pool, but it was hard to get him in the pool because they weren’t equipped with special hoists or ramps like Acorns.
“He also had reflux at the time due to his peg feed and he was unfortunately sick in the pool. The staff didn’t know how to help, and I felt extremely embarrassed and alone. I’ve never taken him to a public pool again.”
Hydrotherapy makes a huge difference to the over 800 life-limited and life threatened children Acorns supports, and their families. It costs £120 to provide an hour of hydrotherapy for children like Jack.
Visit www.acorns.org.uk/summersplash for more.
