THE FAMILY of a Knowle toddler with cerebral palsy is hoping Silhillians will take a ‘cream tea’ break to raise funds for research into the condition.
Alice Bragg was born at 32 weeks weighing just 4lb 11oz and were reassured their newborn daughter was healthy.
To her parents’ delight Alice was allowed home after just 19 days in hospital, ready to join her excited big brother Jack, who was also born prematurely.
When Jenny took Alice, now aged two, along for a six week check-up, the consultant delivered the devastating news that Alice was severely affected with cerebral palsy, affecting her torso and all her limbs.
Jack has since also been diagnosed with mild cerebral palsy.
Jenny said: “We were told to consider the worst case scenario.
“Alice might be unable to move at all. She might be unable to speak or eat, and could be dependent on us for the whole of her life.”
Jenny added Alice does not suffer the pain, stiffness and muscle spasms that affect some children with cerebral palsy, and her intellect has not been affected. She shows no signs of autism spectrum symptoms.
Alice is starting to talk and her speech and language therapist is confident that she is not far away from the expected level for her age in terms of her overall communication skills.
Since Jenny and Matthew were told that Alice might never be able to speak, every word is more than they ever hoped for.
Jenny said: “Alice’s first word was ‘ack’, short for Jack.”
Alice faces a lifetime of challenges because her ability to move is severely impaired due to cerebral palsy.
On a day-to-day basis, family life centres on therapies for Alice, who is now under the care of the complex medical needs team.
Around 2,000 babies are diagnosed with cerebral palsy every year in the UK, according to Action Medical Research which carries out research to help these children.
Now Jenny is supporting Action Medical Research’s annual Cream Teas campaign to help raise money for research into cerebral palsy.
Anyone holding a cream tea event will be sent a boxes filled with scones, jam, cream and tea.
Jenny said: “I think it is so important that studies like those funded by Action Medical Research are done.
“Without research, we wouldn’t have medical advances, and my children probably wouldn’t be here.
“Anything that helps identify why women go into labour too soon is vital.
“Cerebral palsy is so wide-ranging and resources are so limited – but they are so vital for families.”
The deadline for orders is midday on June 14.
For more visit creamteas.action.org.uk
