Give an extra gift this Christmas and help us reach out to families affected by hemiplegia

“Now we know we’re not alone, we can focus on what we do best - providing a loving home for our little boy.” (Sian and Matt Troupe)

This Christmas will be very different to last year’s. 12 months ago we didn’t know why Ollie wasn’t using his right arm. We did our best to answer questions from friends and family but didn’t really know what to say.

Several months passed before we were given a formal diagnosis and it took us even longer to accept that hemiplegia is something our child will live with for the rest of his life.

Before we carry on with our story, we’d like to tell you a little more about ourselves and why we’re writing to you today. We’re Sian and Matt, mum and dad to 20-month-old Ollie, the smiley little boy you can see in these photos.

We’re members of HemiHelp and we know how isolated and stressed out we’d be without it. We’re writing to you because we want to do everything we can to raise funds for this unique charity.

HemiHelp helped us find the confidence to deal with Ollie’s condition. With your support they can continue making a real difference to people like us. So why not give an extra gift this Christmas and bring life-changing support to families affected by hemiplegia?

You could make a difference to a family today

Ollie almost always has a smile on his face and there’s no tantrum we can’t tickle or tease him out of. He even took his first wobbly steps the other day. It wasn’t so long ago that we thought he might never walk – just one of the many fears that left our heads spinning after his diagnosis.

Now we know there’s very little he can’t do with the right support. But our family’s life could have been very different if we had never found HemiHelp. They gave us the knowledge we needed to support our little boy and the chance to share experiences with other families.

We knew something was wrong with Ollie’s arm from an early age but it took several months to get a diagnosis. Hearing the label ‘cerebral palsy’ was the biggest shock for both of us. We left the consultant’s office asking: “Why Ollie?”

The first thing we did when we got home was to type the word ‘hemiplegia’ into Google and we quickly found HemiHelp’s website. We read lots of information and watched a video filmed at one of the family fun days.

The one thing that sticks in our minds from that day was that all the children in the film were so happy and active. We joined right away.

Your gift could help families realise they’re not alone

After we became members, HemiHelp arranged for Barbara, one of the home visitors, to come and see us. She confirmed what we already believed - that we are first and foremost Ollie’s parents and we’re there to provide a stable, loving home.

She told us about all the professionals who can help our little boy and we now understand we don’t need to try to do their job too. The wisdom and experience HemiHelp’s staff and volunteers offer really is valuable and reassuring.

A trip to one of HemiHelp’s conferences provided even more useful information. It gave us a chance to ask a group of experienced professionals any questions we wanted but in a relaxed environment. Everyone we spoke to was supportive and friendly.

At times it was difficult seeing families with older children struggling with things like education. Ollie is still less than two years old and we hadn’t given much thought to what help he might need at school. We hope HemiHelp will always be there for us to turn to for information and support.

It is through the generosity of its supporters that HemiHelp can continue reaching more families affected by hemiplegia. With no government funding, they rely on people like us – and you – to keep things like the home visiting service running.

If you can, please send £15 to HemiHelp this Christmas and help them to support families when they’re most in need

There is no other charity in the UK dedicated to helping the thousands of people affected by hemiplegia. The helpline and home visiting service are just two types of support that HemiHelp provides. We hope you can see how important these services are to families.

Christmas is a busy time for everyone but please take the time to give an extra gift to HemiHelp this year. It may be the most important present you give.

Your gift could help families who have just heard the word ‘hemiplegia’ for the first time and don’t know where to turn. We know what a difference HemiHelp has made to our lives and want to make sure other families continue getting this support when they’re most in need. Please join us in supporting this vital charity today.

Thank you for taking the time to read our message. Wishing you a very happy Christmas.

Sian, Matt and Ollie Troupe

P.S. Send your gift today and it can start making a difference in the New Year. Any gift, no matter how large or small, will be gratefully received.

Please donate today

How your gift will help families affected by hemiplegia:

• £15 could answer eight calls to our helpline – many calls are from parents in urgent need of support.
• £25 could bring an issue of the HemiHelp magazine to twelve families, a resource our members have described as a ‘lifeline’.
• £50 could allow a child to attend an activity day – often their first chance to meet other children with hemiplegia.

HemiHelp receives no funding from the government. We rely entirely on the generosity of the public to keep our vital services running.