“The grant has given Bailey a sense of entertainment and relaxation”

Four-year-old Bailey lives in Huddersfield with her mum, Stacey. Bailey has been diagnosed with a series of conditions including sight impairment. It means she can only see a maximum of ten to fifteen centimetres in front of her.

Stacey explains, “Bailey has a diagnosis of optic atrophy which means that there’s a loss of some, if not all, nerve fibres in the optic nerve. Additionally, Bailey has micrognathia. A condition of undersized facial features; global developmental delay, with an estimated development of 16 months; hypermobility. Bailey is also currently undergoing genetic testing to find out more about her conditions. She also has a poor immune system and can become ill easily.

“Bailey is currently non-verbal so we’re learning Makaton and use communication cards. We’re currently waiting to see a speech and language therapist and waiting for a referral for CAMHS (Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service) because Bailey is showing some traits under the umbrella of the autistic spectrum.

“The fact that Bailey can’t speak or see properly does frustrate her. Due to issues with Bailey’s sight, she requires a lot of supervision because she tends to trip up a lot and she struggles to navigate stairs. Therefore, we can’t do as many of the things that other families do because Bailey can sometimes become overwhelmed due to a change of environment. Since she can’t get around as easily.

“Bailey attends a nursery, and it’s been recommended by her Occupational Therapist to try a mainstream school in September. Although Bailey has disabilities, she doesn’t let anything affect her. Instead, she just gets on with it and does what she has to do. She’s a happy child and I’m so proud of her for not letting anything hold her back. So, hopefully going to a mainstream school and being with other children will help with her development.”

Stacey adds, “Caring for Bailey has taught me so much about the medical side of looking after a child with disabilities. It’s also made me a lot stronger than I thought I would be. We don’t have a big support network, so we have to just get on with it either way.”

How Family Fund helped

Family Fund has supported Bailey by granting her an iPad and a voucher towards sensory equipment. Stacey says, “Bailey loves watching YouTube and seeing all the different colours on the iPad. We also play educational games and puzzles together on the tablet which Bailey enjoys, and it helps her development.

“We used the sensory grant to buy a few light-up toys that Bailey loves playing with. She also entertained by puppets, so I bought a puppet stand with the same voucher. Bailey’s grandmother makes homemade puppets which we use to create stories. The grant has given Bailey a sense of entertainment and relaxation.

“Family Fund has been a lifeline for my family. They’ve provided grants that I otherwise would not have been able to afford myself. I’m unable to work at the moment, due to a lack of childcare. If there weren’t charities like Family Fund then a lot of families, especially families with single parents, wouldn’t be able to provide their children with the things that they need.”