Manchunian Quackers help out Families in the North

Release Date: 17/05/2011

Thousands of plastic ducks has led to increased help being available for families with children with disabilities and Developmental Delay in the North West.

The Good Friday Duck Race, organised by Spinningfields for the children’s charity, Brainwave, has raised thousands of pounds which means that Brainwave can now offer a one day Initial Assessment for a child for only £195 – a saving of £100.

Christine Cryne, Brainwave’s Chief Executive Officer, said ‘We ask for contributions towards the cost of the Brainwave Programme but we know that for many families money is tight at the moment. Thus, Brainwave’s Trustees have agreed to offer families a one day Initial Assessment at our North West Centre in Birchwood for only £195 for any family booking in the next three months. We are only able to afford to do this thanks to the brilliant generosity of people and companies supporting Spinningfield’s Duck Race last month’.

Brainwave works with families to deliver home based individual therapies and exercises to help children with disabilities and Developmental Delay reach their full potential. That potential might be anything from a child sitting or walking to feeding themselves or counting. The children on Programme have a range of conditions including brain injury such as Cerebral Palsy, genetic conditions eg Down’s Syndrome, Autism or General Development Delay.

Families are invited to attend an Initial Assessment where the whole family is assessed and a Programme tailor made for that child developed. The parents are then shown how to deliver that Programme, which they undertake at home, returning to the Centre every 4-6 months for it to be adjusted as the child progresses.

Christine added ‘Due to the love and dedication of the parents, the results can be amazing. To quote one mum: ‘We cannot thank you enough for what you as an organisation have done for both Tianna and us as parents. Not only did you give us hope, support and inspiration in those early days you have provided us with exercises and advice that have made a significant difference in Tianna's life (some of it that went against NHS advice given and that proved very important - such as letting her try without her frame and within weeks she was walking independently). She has gone from a child who was expected to be severely disabled by the doctors (and after now seeing her brain scan we can see why they thought this!) to a five year old girl who is walking, talking, reading, writing, making friends and attending a mainstream school’. We’d like to be able to do this for so many more families in the North West’.

For more information on Brainwave’s work, see www.brainwave.org.uk ; email: enquiriesnw@brainwave.org.uk or phone: 01925 825547. Contact: Christine Cryne: 07970 096366 Press information: Jane Adkins, Tel: 01935 813114 or email: jane@aheadforpr.co.uk

Notes to Editors

1. Brainwave’s team of physiotherapists, occupational therapists development therapists and teachers seek to transform the lives of children with disabilities. By working with parents, giving them relevant therapy equipment and teaching them correct handling skills, they are empowered to actively participate in their child’s development. 2. Brainwave’s team of physiotherapists, occupational therapists, developmental therapists and teachers seek to transform the lives of children with disabilities. By working with parents, giving them relevant therapy equipment and teaching them correct handling skills, they are empowered to actively participate in their child’s development. 3. Brainwave currently has over 520families on Programme nationally. 4. See the charity’s videos at http://uk.youtube.com/BrainwaveCentre . 5. Brainwave uses mainstream neuroplasticity techniques in its programmes. Most of it therapists NHS trained.