Young Issac Millar enjoying his Wizzybug
Isaac Millar is finally getting to experience what other children his age can do thanks to his very first powered wheelchair.
Isaac, 3, has cerebral palsy which was caused by his premature birth at 31 weeks. His disability means that he is unable to walk.
His mum, Laura, found out about something called the Wizzybug Loan Scheme through Isaac’s occupational therapist.
The Wizzybug Loan Scheme is run by the UK charity Designability and provides fun, powered wheelchairs called Wizzybugs free of charge to families with disabled children.
Laura said: “Although Isaac cannot physically move himself around, he is a really bright 3-year-old boy which means he is so desperate to be mobile.
“The Wizzybug has already changed so many things for the better for Isaac. He loves using it on trips to the farm and doing ‘donuts’ in it!
“The other day I went into the living room to find he’d pulled all the sofa cushions off and put them on the floor which is something that never would have been possible before without his wheels.
“As a parent it’s really hard to see your child want to do something so badly but not be able to do it because they’re stuck in one place.
“Now he can experience the world more like his sister does and play with her more freely. It just helps him to explore like other children his age while he’s using it.”
Isaac got his Wizzybug when he was only 2 from local charity Mae Murray Foundation who are a partner organisation for the Wizzybug Loan Scheme. Mae Murray carry out the handovers in Northern Ireland on behalf of Designability who build them over in Somerset.
Wizzybugs are available for free to children aged 14 months – 5 years who have a disability, even if it is currently an undiagnosed condition.
Laura added: “I still fondly remember our first trip out when Isaac got his Wizzybug – we went to a local café and as I briefly turned my back I noticed he drove over to the crisps to grab his favourite kind.
“Many people take those sorts of moments for granted but to me it was the first of many firsts for Isaac. It was really special.
“I’m so very grateful for Designability designing something that supports a child that otherwise wouldn’t have been able to experience any independence. It’s given him a much better quality of life.”
Families are welcome to apply for a free Wizzybug via Designability’s website: http://designability.org.uk or can get in touch on 01225 824103.
The Wizzybug Loan Scheme provides fun, powered wheelchairs called Wizzybugs to 14 month – 5 year oldchildren with a disability. To date, they have been loaned to over 1,000 children with cerebral palsy, spina bifida, spinal muscular atrophy and other conditions which means children are unable to walk unaided.
The scheme would not exist without donations.