Better life for Reuben
Specialist equipment creates a better life for little Reuben and his family
Axis’ Lorrae Mannering suggested to our Trustees that the Axis Foundation might support Reuben Whitehead and his family. Little Reuben, now six years old, has cerebral palsy, epilepsy, autism and is likely to need a liver transplant. He has had over 66 operations in his short life. He is nil by mouth and so needs total parental nutrition (TPN) for feeding and hydration which restricts him to his cot 16 hours per day.
Reuben has been in the care of our charity partner Demelza – he and his family live near their premises in Sittingbourne, Kent, where Axis also works and has offices.
After seeing Lorrae’s application, the Trustees of the Axis Foundation were unanimous in their support and have agreed to donate £5,575 to purchase some specialist equipment to help Reuben and his family.
This includes a height-adjustable bath, sensory toys, an air purifier and a steam cleaner as well as a special jogger pushchair.
Reuben’s father told us what a difference these will make to their lives:
“We would like to thank Lorrae for putting us forward, and the Axis Foundation for their amazing donation to help our boy Reuben. It’s gone towards buying him a new jogger push chair which has helped in giving us the freedom of getting him out and about without having to use his heavy bulky wheelchair, also a roof box for our car so that we can travel easier with all his medical equipment.
“The main thing that it’s going to help buy is a special height-adjustable bath that is literally going to change our lives in helping caring for him at home and also a steam cleaner to help keep his room sterile and an air purifier to keep him as well as we can at home.
“We can’t thank everyone enough at the Axis Foundation for these items, they really have made a difference already” – Allan and Janine, Reuben’s parents
Lorrae said: “I’m so grateful that we have the Axis Foundation available to consider causes and individuals like Reuben. He is a remarkable little warrior.
It’s difficult to comprehend what their family have to deal with on a daily basis. Just to pass on their story in the hopes that the Foundation could help was the least I could do and I’m so thankful that they agreed.”
