You helped William have a magical year!
Last Christmas, your incredible generosity gave William access to life-changing switch technology
Thanks to you, he has made wonderful progress over the past year, and we caught up with Jess, William’s mother who kindly gave us an update!
A little recap
When William was born, there was no indication that anything was wrong. But at just six weeks old, his parents noticed he wasn’t hitting key developmental milestones. Around his first birthday, William was diagnosed with level 4 cerebral palsy, the second most severe categorization, affecting his mobility, swallowing and ability to communicate and play.
With the support from wonderful donors like you, William has been able to access switch-operated toys and other technologies allowing him to play, learn, and explore in ways that once seemed impossible. We are so grateful that you’ve been part of William’s journey, helping him grow stronger every day. Thank you for making such a difference in his life.
Please read the update from Jess, William’s mother below:
Update on William
Can you give us an update on your family over the last year?
As usual, we have had a big year. William started preschool and I went back to work after being on maternity leave.
William is loving preschool! They have been wonderful in looking after Will. He has made some lovely little friends and is thriving there. He starts “big school” next year which is very exciting.
How has William’s therapy been going?
William’s therapy is going well. We still see our OT Kathryn from CPA and now we see Karri for Speech Therapy. His powered wheelchair arrived at the end of 2023, and he is learning to control it with switches. Our car has been modified so we can take his wheelchair everywhere, which has been life changing.
We also now have a mount on his wheelchair for his eye gaze device, so he had been using this at preschool to communicate with his teachers and peers. He has been doing great things in physio, recently he sat unsupported for 3 mins!!
What are William’s favourite activities currently?
William still adores the Wiggles, and still loves being outside – especially going for walks in this wheelchair. I hope he will always love cuddles! He enjoys spending time with his friends at Preschool, and his teachers, especially Sherryn. He is a bit of a Daddy’s boy at the moment, loves doing boy things with his Dad and brothers. He also loves standing in his standing frame.
How is William going using his eye gaze computer and switch toys? Does he still enjoy them, and what’s his favourite activity or toy when using them?
He is still switching and is learning how to control his wheelchair using switches. It can be overwhelming for him at times, but he is slowly improving.
William loves to use his iPad games with his switches. We have also made it possible for William to control the TV with his eye gaze device, so he can start choosing what he wants to watch. His vocabulary continues to increase on the eye gaze device, he tells us he loves us and when he wants to stop. He has also started to tell us how he feels, which is very helpful.
How is his power wheelchair going? Does he enjoy using it?
The powered wheelchair is amazing. He loves using it, especially when we go over bumps! We get lots of compliments when we go out as it looks pretty fancy.
What would you like to say to the people who donated to CPA last Christmas?
We would like to say a massive thank you!! The families of CPA appreciate your generosity. The money you so generously donate makes a huge difference to children and families with CP.
We are excited to share this update with you and want to thank you for being part of William’s journey!
William’s progress over the past year shows what is possible with dedication, support, and access to the life-changing adaptive technology and therapy CPA provides. We are excited for the future and can’t wait to share even more updates as William continues to grow.
From William’s family, and from all of us at CPA, we just want to say thank you. We couldn’t do any of this without you!
Meet some inspiring young kids!
Aidyn
Born just shy of 23 weeks, Aidyn is now a happy, cheeky, and funny kid. He lives with severe cerebral palsy, and is making amazing progress with the support of CPA therapies like Telepractice sessions and physiotherapy, to get ready for his first year of school.
Christopher
Christopher has defied the odds and surprises everyone around him with this strength, determination, will to live and capacity to love. Born at 37 weeks after suffering brain damage in the womb due to CMV, Christopher has severe CP, is non-verbal, and has no control over his limbs.
Dax
Dax has had it tough from day one when he was born with the umbilical cord wrapped around his neck. After a difficult and complicated diagnosis, Dax started therapy with CPA and inspires everyone every day with his infectious determination and constant positive progress.