‘Evie needs her independence’ plead Kenilworth family

Evie Broome was born with right hemiplegia, a form of cerebral palsy which has left her unable to properly control one of her hands or have full control down one side of her body.

Despite receiving NHS funded physiotherapy treatment, her mother Rachel Armstrong said the 30 minutes each week is simply not enough to stop Evie’s muscles weakening as she grows up.

The family, who live in Kenilworth, hope to send excited Evie on a ten-day Breathe Magic intensive therapy camp, which offers tailored physiotherapy for children to help build skills and confidence.

But with the family unable to get any funding for the £3,000 camp, Rachel is hoping to pull in sponsorship and help to make her daughter’s wishes come true.

“This would be brilliant for Evie as she cannot properly use her right hand at all and it is not being addressed,” she said.

“She cannot do simple things like peel a banana, hold a knife and fork easily or put toothpaste on her toothbrush.

“She struggles a lot with confidence and it would be great for her to see other children that are just like her. If she could see others doing things that she can’t, it might inspire her to try more.

“The way she suffers is similar to someone who has had a stroke, and as a result she cannot run as fast or do things her friends are doing.

“There is only so long she is going to want her mum to wash her hair and as she gets older we want her to have more independence. Without help it will be a struggle.”

Evie - who also lives with her dad, Robert, twin brother Louis and six-year-old sister Nyla - has regular botox injections to help loosen up her muscles.

She was diagnosed with the condition at six months old when she was unable to match the development of her brother. As a result of her condition, she has a much thinner arm and leg on her right side, requiring her to wear a splint to help her walk.

Breathe Magic Camps have been designed specifically for children with hemiplegia.

Hemiplegia in infants and children is a type of Cerebral Palsy that results from damage to the part of the brain that controls muscle movements.

There is no cure for the condition, but therapies and intensive treatments can help with some symptoms as children grow.

Inspired to help get the ball rolling with donations and transform Evie’s Easter with a place, Rachel has signed up to run her first 13 miles and complete Warwick Half Marathon in March, and is organising a non-uniform day at St John’s school, where Evie is a pupil.

To make a donation, or support her efforts, visit the page fundrazr.com/campaigns/asOP3/ab/444GX0

Collections are also being taken at May Vaughn Salon where Rachel works and St John’s Primary School.