Imogen’s Story

20 February 2018

Imogen’s Story

20 February 2018

We are extremely excited to have been named Specsavers’ charity of the year for Wales this year. As part of this, we are looking at the stories of some of the families that we have helped in Wales.

Imogen Ashwell-Lewis, from Caldicot, was diagnosed with Cerebral Palsy at birth. The condition severely limits movement in the six-year-old’s lower body. As Imogen turned two, her mum, Catherine, sought additional support to ensure her daughter had the best opportunity to develop, both physically and socially.

She came across the Cerebra Innovation Centre in Swansea, which creates bespoke products for children with neurological conditions, and immediately got in touch.

‘The team at the Innovation Centre were great,’ she says. ‘We discussed Imogen’s condition and her need for something that could help her movement. They were very accommodating and immediately started working on an adapted wheelchair to help her get around our home and, as she grew up, out in the garden and further afield.’

As Imogen got older, she returned to the Innovation Centre to have a larger wheelchair created. The team at Cerebra have also designed a bespoke seat, which Catherine can now easily fit to trolleys when she is shopping or in her car, so Imogen remains comfortable while away from their home.

‘Imogen has a really close relationship with the design team, who often invite us along so she can test new products they are developing,’ Catherine says. ‘It’s great to see a group of people committed to improving the lives of children like Imogen.

‘The fact that a name as recognised as Specsavers has pledged its support not only means additional vital funds for the charity and the Innovation Centre, but also much needed awareness about what they can do.

‘Day-to-day life would have been so much more difficult without the adaptations Cerebra designed for us. Before she had the wheelchair her movement was extremely limited, which in turn affected her cognitive development and ability to speak and play with other children. This couldn’t be further from the truth now – she’s a smart and social six-year-old who has been given the opportunity to do everything a child her age should be able to do.

‘If it wasn’t for Cerebra this would have never happened.’

You can find out more about our Specsavers partnership here.

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