Team Nicholas

MY STORY

I was born 10 weeks early, at two weeks of age scans showed I'd had a bleed in my brain and was diagnosed with Cerebral Palsy. At 10 months old Doctors told my Mum and Dad  I had  Quadriplegia Cerebral Palsy, this is the most severe form and affects my arms, legs, breathing and vision. In 2012, two days after my fifth birthday I had my first 30 minute Tonic Clonic seizure and have since been diagnosed with Epilepsy. I now have to carry medication with me wherever I go.

This year I turned 8.  I am in year 3 at Coolnwynpin State School in Capalaba. I really love school and have lots of friends. My favourite time is on the computer which I  access with special head switches, they make it easier for me because I can't see very well but I can follow the prompts which helps me to communicate with my friends and teachers.

In 2011, at age 4,  my family took me to America to do a 3 week block of intense therapy at the Pediatric Fitness Centre in Michigan, (TheraSuit Method).  In 2013 I did another two blocks of 4 week intensive therapy with  therapists who travelled to Australia from the NAPA Centre in Los Angeles and Pediatric Fitness Centre in Michigan.   These were  costly but very worthwhile. This made me a lot stronger in my arms and head control. I started taking steps in a specialised walker and also started to talk, I can say 'yes' and 'no' which helps everybody understand me.

My favourite saying is "LETS GO".

Last year my family fundraised  to take me back to America for a 5 week Intensive Therapy session at Polfit Wellness Center in California. Polfit also have the "Therasuit", this suit helps me use the correct muscles to sit, stand and walk. I amazed everybody by taking 280 steps  on a moving treadmill by the end of the fifth week. I can now pedal my special needs bike all by myself.

Just this January gone I had more botox injections, this time in my upper limbs as well as my calves and hamstrings. In June I had Orthopedic surgery to release some very tight muscles in my legs and this November I am booked in for more surgery in my elbows. Mummy says I am growing so fast that we need to make sure my very tight muscles keep up with my bone growth.

My weekly therapies  - Swimming, Hippotherapy, Physiotherapy, Occupational therapy, Speech therapy and Conductive Education are very expensive and any offers of support would be greatly appreciated!

HOW YOU CAN HELP

• Sponsor our team for the annual Riverwalk Event by pressing the "donate now" button on my webpage and receive an automatic tax deductible receipt. You can read about the event at http://www.developingfoundation.org.au/help-give-raise-funds/riverwalk.
• Help us raise sponsorship for our team through participation at the Annual Brisbane Riverwalk event by collecting donations on our behalf using pre-printed receipts supplied by The Developing Foundation Inc.
• Send this page to your family, friends, colleagues and anyone else you can think of and invite them to donate. You can also visit my website - http://joinnicksjourney.com

All donations of $2 or more are tax deductible. The Developing Foundation commits 90% of funds raised by or donated to our team, to these unmet needs. The remaining 10% is used by the charity to cover credit card charges, administration and support.

Thank you.