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Whizz Kidz, a charity that assists wheelchair users up to 25 years old, has reached a significant milestone by closing its specialist wheelchairs waitlist for the first time in its 35-year history. This decision comes as over a thousand disabled children in the UK are awaiting wheelchairs and mobility equipment that could greatly enhance their lives. The charity attributes the increasing demand for their services to rising costs and squeezed budgets within the NHS.
According to Whizz Kidz, the situation has led to long delays, leaving many children without the essential equipment they require. The charity identified a thousand children waiting for equipment when they made the decision to close the waitlist, highlighting the urgency of the situation. Families affected by these delays have shared stories about the impact it has on their lives, shedding light on the challenges they face in accessing necessary equipment for their children.
One such story is that of Wren, an 11-year-old girl with cerebral palsy who relies on a manual wheelchair from the NHS. Wren’s family turned to Whizz Kidz for assistance when they were told she did not qualify for a powered wheelchair through the NHS. Despite Whizz Kidz providing Wren with a powered wheelchair for school use, her family remains concerned about the impending need for a new chair. With escalating costs and strict criteria affecting NHS wheelchair services, families like Wren’s are left uncertain about the future.
The charity CEO, Sarah Pugh, has labeled the situation as a “national crisis,” emphasizing the impact on children’s lives. Whizz Kidz has launched the Childhood Can’t Wait appeal in an effort to raise funds to reopen the waitlist and reduce waiting times for children in need. As families continue to struggle with delays in accessing vital equipment, the push for support and funding becomes increasingly urgent to ensure that every child has the opportunity to lead a fulfilling and independent life
Read the full article from The BBC here: Read More
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