It’s Child’s Play for BCHC Charity!
A therapeutic play area opened at the West Midlands Rehabilitation Centre in 2019 thanks to the generosity of donors who helped smash a £10,000 charity appeal target.
The playground, featuring play equipment including a slide and stepping stone challenge, has been designed specifically with children with lower limb prosthetics in mind to help children improve mobility, balance and confidence through play.
Patient Therapy Lead Sue Barlow said “This will be a great resource for our physiotherapists in particular to work with people as they get used to new prosthetic limbs. We regularly see around 70 children who have lower limb amputations and wear a prosthetic; it’s essential that they can learn to walk on all surfaces and negotiate steps, slopes and cambers.”
The project has been backed by the family of Anu Saha (pictured) who became a social media sensation after a film of her proudly unveiling her new ‘blade’ prosthesis to school friends was shared millions of times online. Anu’s father Anirban Saha said; “Anu has attended for several years for assessment, treatment and support with her prosthetics so, as a family, we have a very personal experience of the quality of care. I can honestly say the welcome is so warm and the team so caring that it almost feels like one big family; there is no limit to the lengths they will go to to provide the very best care and support. This project to create an outdoor therapy area is another example of that commitment to maximising people’s rehabilitation potential.”
Sarah Binks, Charity Manager, said; “We’re so grateful to everyone who donated which saw us exceed the original target by almost 50 percent.” Thanks to the success of the appeal, BCHC Charity were able to add extras to the therapy area, including some adapted bicycles for children with upper limb prosthesis. “Play is such a key part of childhood development and we’re so glad the children who access the rehab services can experience this too.”