Disabled girls kept safe by charity bed donations

HE rapid response by a charity means two disabled Rotherham girls can now sleep without being hurt.

Poppy Shepard (7) and Lexi Withington (4), each received a specialist bed from Newlife the Charity for Disabled Children, who operate the UK’s only emergency equipment loan service.

Poppy survived a two-hour long epileptic seizure but now can’t walk or talk and, at night, violent spasms cause her arms and legs to thrash for hours. Although she received a padded hospital bed, it did not stop injuries from repeated strikes against the bed frame.

Poppy's mum, Amy Churm, said: “Poppy’s occupational therapist agreed the bed from statutory services wasn't safe for her, but when we re-applied for a more specialist bed we were told she didn’t meet their criteria as she can't sit up. I couldn’t let her use that bed. 

“Thankfully Newlife were there to help, I’m so grateful to them — I don't know what we would have done otherwise!”

A change in medication for Lexi, who has cerebral palsy, meant that she could unexpectedly sit up by herself — putting her at risk of falling out of bed and injuring herself. 

Newlife provided an emergency loan bed to keep her safe while statutory services process the family’s application for a bed, which can take several months.

Carrick Brown, Newlife’s senior manager of the care services department, said: “Disabled and terminally ill children suffer avoidable pain and worsening conditions when they can’t get the right equipment at the right time — no child should have to endure this. 

“Through the emergency equipment loan service, we’re able to provide a child with the equipment they need when a situation has become critical or their health needs mean they just can't wait any longer.”

You can make a donation to Newlife here.