Law Firm Funds Loan Of Wizzybug
The mum of a two-year-old boy from just outside Bristol who has cerebral palsy and is unable to walk or crawl has spoken of her delight at receiving a motorised Wizzybug so that he can play with his brother outside in the garden for the first time.
The bright red fun buggy, which is controlled by a colour coded joystick, now means Finn McCowen, from Chew Magna, can gain confidence in moving around independently for the first time.
Now Finn’s mum Sarah McCowen, who says it wouldn’t have been possible to get him the Wizzybug without some financial support, has expressed her thanks to the South West law firm Irwin Mitchell who have funded the initial cost of the Wizzybug as well as its maintenance.
The firm saw how much Wizzybugs could improve the lives of youngsters with disabilities, many of whom have been victims of medical negligence, and developed a partnership with the Designability (formerly Bath Institute of Medical Engineering) who set up a loan scheme to help children with severe mobility problems.
Irwin Mitchell has previously donated two Wizzybugs to local children; three-year-old cerebral palsy sufferer Sophia McCormack and five-year-old Coby Musgrove, both from Bristol, finally be able to play with their siblings.
Finn suffers from the condition Polymicrogyria which is abnormal development of the brain which resulted in his cerebral palsy. He is unable to move independently and so the Wizzybug is a brilliant and fun solution for him.
Mum-of-two Sarah, said: “The cerebral palsy means that Finn cannot move himself independently at all. With the Wizzybug, he has had his first experience of being able to choose where he goes. The first time he tried it you could see the amazement on his face that he was able to propel himself.
“We have seen a change in him already; he is delighted with the Wizzybug and we are delighted that he’s learning how to use a joystick which will be essential for his independence. It’s the best early Christmas present we could have wished for – it’s given him a new lease of life.
“Finn would never have been able to get the Wizzybug if it weren’t for the loan scheme and Irwin Mitchell and I’m so grateful to them both for giving Finn the opportunity to use it. It’s giving him so much more confidence and I think his use and enjoyment will only increase the more he uses it.”