About Us

In July 2000, my son Taylor was born; it was one of the happiest and saddest days of my life. Within 15 minutes of arrival at Harold Wood Hospital Maternity Unit, I was told that I would have to have an emergency caesarean, as the baby's condition had changed from normal to critical. The nursing staff identified that there was no foetal movement and that they were losing the heartbeat.

Following the birth, he was immediately taken to the Intensive Care Unit; - I wasn't even allowed to see my new son, let alone hold him! The following day, we were told that he had suffered a trauma and as a result of this, he had lost more than ¾ of his body's blood supply. This had led to further complications and the Consultant sadly advised us that it was unlikely that Taylor would survive. He was within an hour of losing his life and the medical team had had to resuscitate him.

He was then taken to Oldchurch Hospital to have an MRI scan, which revealed he had suffered damage to his brain. Taylor remained in a critical condition in ICU for 2 weeks, but then his condition began to stabilise and after 3 weeks, he was allowed to come home. He had continued to have fits, which could have potentially caused further brain damage and so he had to remain on a drug to sedate him.

We were shortly contacted by a number of different NHS and charity-based services, to assist with Taylor's physical, mental and social development, including Portage Home Advisory Service, Community Physiotherapy, Speech and Occupational Therapy. It was at a charity-based playgroup called, First Step Opportunity Group, that, at aged four months, Taylor was diagnosed with Cerebral Palsy.

Every year, 1 in 400 babies or children are diagnosed with this condition. This is a disorder of movement and posture, due to failure of the brain to develop or damage to the brain occurring during pregnancy, at delivery or during the first year of life. It can affect all areas of a child's development, including physical movement, balance and co-ordination, as well as mental ability. There can also be other associated problems with sight, hearing, speech, deformities and epileptic fits. It is an incredibly diverse condition and no one child will develop the same as the next.

Another charity-based group called Crossroads provides me with some respite care and it was through Taylor's care worker, Rosa, and through Scope (the National Charity for people with Cerebral Palsy) that I heard about Conductive Education.

Conductive Education was developed in Hungary and is now available, on a very limited basis, in the UK. It is a programme to encourage and enable children and adults with motor disorders to enjoy a more independent life. Individual practical goals are set and these are worked towards, through daily activities.

I have already managed to secure a place for Taylor at two groups: Time for Tots in South Ockendon and Ladderback Kids in Brentwood. Here they teach parents the correct way to handle a child with C.P. and involve the children in stimulating activities to encourage physical and mental development. Even though Taylor has only been attending these groups for 4 months, his physical ability has improved. He is a very determined child and I want him to have every opportunity to achieve his potential.

Taylor was recently assessed at the Peto Andras Centre for Conductive Education (UK) at the Scope National Headquarters in London. The Conductor was keen to work with him and said that she believed he has the potential to walk. This was the news I had been praying for but could never allow myself to actually believe. She asked for Taylor to attend an intensive two weeks course in London, with a view to extending this to a four weeks course at the main Centre in Hungary.

Unfortunately, Cerebral Palsy cannot be cured but early diagnosis, rehabilitation and advice to parents can give the child a better chance of improvement. I am hoping that with your help, I will be able to give Taylor that opportunity. He is a wonderful, caring child with an amazing determination. He has already achieved so much, but, at aged two-and-a-half, he is still unable to walk, crawl or stand independently. He has come through so much already in his short life and I want to give him every opportunity to succeed in enjoying as independent life as possible – the type of life that many of us just take for granted. He is a miracle!

If you would like to know more about any of the organisations mentioned or Cerebral Palsy, or other ways you may be able to help, please contact me.

Toni Mason