SPENDING hours outside away from home is typically what teenagers do – but for one Solihull youngster he and his family were delighted when, he could do just that.
Dylan Harrison has been confined to a bulky wheelchair which left his mum, Emma, and other carers struggling to get him about.
But thanks to a generous donation from Solihull Lions Dylan was able to do just that.
The 15-year-old has Charge Syndrome, a rare condition which means he is deaf/blind, tube fed, is unable to communicate and has scoliosis.
Dylan was kindly provided with a chair from Solihull Wheelchair Services but Emma said she found Dylan couldn’t get comfortable and the straps often didn’t suit as he could slide under them.
Emma said: “I spoke to Solihull wheelchair services several times about this issue but they could not provide different straps.
“He would self harm or even try to grab out at others because he would become frustrated with the discomfort in the chair. He would get angry and try to rock it over.
“He could not go out if the weather was bad because it was not rain proof, he’d be soaked.
“He struggles with the sunshine and his eyes, I tried all sorts of clip on brollies and none worked.
“It was so, so hard to push over grass or fields when walking his assistance dog.”
She said that he was unable to go out with grandparents or his carers as the chairs did not fold down and were so difficult to steer.
Emma added: “We were very grateful that Solihull wheelchair service provided us with something and tried their best to help but it just did not work for us.”
Dylan is due to have an operation on his spine and would need something that provides more comfort for him.
After hearing about the good work Solihull Lions do in the community Emma contacted them and she was over the moon when they agreed to the fund the £2,600 specialist bespoke pushchair for Dylan.
Solihull Lions president, Ivan Crowdell, said the cost of Dylan’s pushchair was met from a legacy bequeathed to the club by local lady Betty Green who had wished to do good things in the local community.
Emma added: “It was all the firsts that were exciting, first trip in the rain, first time he was tired and I could lay him back to sleep.
“He is so snug and comfortable. They even brought him the supportive head rest and rain covers that were extras.
“Nothing stops us he can be out for hours and is completely comfortable.
“It may sound something quite small but for a family like ours it is life changing.”
