Troy has Spinal Muscular Atrophy Type 2 which is a genetic neuromuscular disorder that affects the nerve cells that control voluntary muscles.
He relies on parents and carers for all moving/handling and personal care. Troy can communicate well and is able to see. He moves around in an electric wheelchair so that he is able to get around independently. Troy is unable to move his arms himself however has movement in his hands.
As Troy has difficulties moving his arms and hands, he often gets frustrated that he cannot use things that he would like to play with. When his carers at ellenor, a hospice at home service in Kent, introduced the Lifelites-donated Switches, it opened so many opportunities that Troy is able to experience. He loves the Switches!
Troy came up with the amazing idea of wanting to make Oreo cupcakes for himself and his family. The cooking day came and Troy was super excited. He was up and ready waiting to make cakes. Troy loved being able to be in control of the mixer and telling his carers what was next to put into the bowl. When we made the final dozen of cakes, he called his family on thier mobiles to come into the kitchen. His family was amazed by the cakes that he made and enjoyed eating every single one of them! Troy was really proud of himself too, and so is the Lifelites team!
From this day on he wants to cook every week!
Evan is three years old and is classed as a SWAN, meaning he has a syndrome without a name. Evan is severely delayed in all areas of his development and is unable to sit up, walk or roll, and unable to communicate verbally. But the Lifelites-donated Mobile Magic Carpet enables Evan to play, control something himself!
Little Madison has Down syndrome, a chronic lung disease, is oxygen dependent, and has a weak immune system. She cannot eat food orally but has to use a flexible feeding tube instead. She also has sight problems, might need hearing aids and as a one-year-old, she already had open heart surgery. But with our donated Mobile Magic Carpet, she can comfortably move around, explore bright lights and play with the moving bubbles around her. For some time, she can escape the confines of her conditions.
Two year old Noah has a degenerative condition which makes movement very difficult, but the staff at his local children’s hospice are able to use the donated Lifelites technology to encourage him to move through fun and play, helping him to stay active for as long as possible.
Eleven-year-old John Junior (JJ) used to be a lively young boy, able to explore the world and attend a mainstream school. But then he was diagnosed with ALD, cerebral x-lined adrenoleukodystrophy, meaning he suddenly lost his ability to walk or talk.
Alex had a brain tumour when he was six years old. After his surgery, he received extensive chemo and radio therapy. He spent three months in isolation when his stem cells were replaced and he initially recovered well. A year later, he relapsed and was given palliative diagnosis. But to the huge delight of his family and friends, his conditions very slowly improved again and is spreading joy with his lovely, bubbly personality!
A brain tumour at the age of six left Heavenly with a number of disabilities, but the equipment provided by Lifelites has opened up a whole new world to her.
Seven year old Samuel has cerebral palsy and is a regular visitor to Acorns for the Three Counties in Worcester.
Brothers Thomas and Connor, aged 9 and 6, were born with life limiting complex congenital heart disease. Each has only half a heart.
Six year old Lois Russell who suffers from severe spastic quadriplegic cerebral palsy and epilepsy was one of the first to try out the technology when Lifelites visited Keech Hospice Care in Luton.
Our technology enhances the lives of thousands of terminally ill and disabled children and young people across the British Isles every day. One of those very special people is Craig.
William Young-Dagg is five years old and visits Butterwick Children’s Hospice in Durham.
Nine year old Megan Farrell from Middlesbrough has been attending Butterwick House for three years for short breaks so that her mum, dad and sister can take a little time off from their caring responsibilities.
Josh is a frequent visitor to Each Anglia Children’s Hospice in Cambridge and a very enthusiastic gamer.
John Donoghue is a dedicated Lifelites Benefactor. He shared with us his very moving personal story about his daughter's health and the reason he decided to become a benefactor, and make a regular monthly gift to Lifelites.
Our Patrons support our vision, mission and values and give all of their time for free. Their contribution and support is highly valued.
Lifelites aims to harness the power of technology by donating a wide variety of assistive and inclusive equipment to enhance the lives of life-limited and disabled children using hospice services.
For these children with complex cognitive and physical impairments, this technology is quite simply magical. It gives them opportunities they wouldn’t otherwise have to join in with the world around them, irrespective of their disabilities.
Providing these opportunities is only possible because of the donations that Lifelites receives.
We have two new additions to our magical technology package! Click below to learn more about the Tilt Table and the PODs Sensory Tent!