Caleb (3) shows cerebral palsy can be fought
Caleb Kerr with his mother Heather Kerr, Mrs Gloria Matchett, Teacher, and pupils - Alexandra McCarthy, Gemma McKitterick and Danielle Bann, Brendan McConville Chairman of Buddy Bear Trust and Mr Trevor Robinson Principal
A THREE-YEAR-OLD boy from the Portadown area has been held up as a champion of the battle against cerebral palsy.
Caleb Kerr was special guest at Lurgan College recently, where the pupils saw first-hand how their fundraising activities in aid of the Buddy Bear Trust School for children with cerebral palsy were bearing fruit.
Caleb, who has been receiving conductive education at the Buddy Bear Trust School since he was a baby, was able to walk across the stage unaided to meet Trevor Robinson, principal of Lurgan College, in front of a special assembly of students, to receive a cheque for £1,000 for the Buddy Bear School.
Brendan McConville, chairman of The Buddy Bear Trust, explained the work of the Buddy Bear Trust School and showed extracts of the new information video, made by video journalist Barbara McCann, which shows the efforts that children with cerebral palsy put into achieving what we often take for granted.
Caleb appears in the video at an early stage of his education being taught how to crawl and to control his limbs. His ability to walk independently gives great evidence that early intervention and conductive education from a qualified conductor/teacher can help make a lifetime of difference to a child and to a family.
Mr McConville said, “Caleb is a real champion for children with cerebral palsy. He and his parents should be congratulated for working so closely with our principal conductor Ms Ildiko Veres to achieve this current level of success in his abilities. It is clear from his enthusiasm here today that Caleb enjoys his independence like any other young boy of his age.
“I would like to thank the school and pupils for their generosity and I hope that other schools will join with us in helping children who simply want to be able to do what we take for granted.
“We need to raise over £150,000 per year to maintain the services offered by the Buddy Bear Trust School and we have to rely mainly on the support from others, support from local schools and the wider community is essential.
“Many more children could be helped through conductive education at our school, and the efforts shown here from the pupils at Lurgan College and our new information video will help us to raise greater awareness among parents about options available to them locally and the obvious benefits of conductive education for children with cerebral palsy and motor disorders.
“There are no miracles but some children who were given little hope now live more independent lives through the Buddy Bear School.”
For more information visit www.buddybeartrust.com or to make a donation visit www.justgiving.com/buddybeartrust
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Wednesday 19 June 2013
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