This November DCF is pleased to be able to announce good news for applicants seeking a grant to support someone with additional needs who may benefit from brain plasticity related training or therapy.
The grant scheme, that was put on hold as a result of the pandemic, has now re-launched and is just one of a schedule of programmes that DCF are planning in the coming weeks and months.
DCF established Neurodevelopment Through Movement in 2017 thanks to a donor qualified in the Anat Baniel Method (ABM) – a therapy that uses innovative movement exercises to create new neural patterns, increasing strength, flexibility, and vitality. It was her aim to support the work of another ABM practitioner here in Devon and other groups and individuals conducting similar treatments.
Since 2017 DCF has administered over £56,000 in grants on behalf of the fund, helping make a difference to the lives of families across Devon.
In April 2019 DCF received an application from Mum of two Katherine, who sought funding to support her son Tom and daughter Sarah, aged 32 and 29.
Both siblings were entering adulthood when they were diagnosed with an extremely rare degenerative neurological disease called Kufs Disease.
Katherine told DCF that at the time that having the disease meant both Tom and Sarah had symptoms of dementia and epilepsy, were unable to swallow and had lost all motor control, meaning they were predominantly bed-bound.
On good days Tom can sit in his specially adapted wheelchair for a couple of hours, although this effort can him exhausted and he may be bedbound for a few days following”
It was when searching online for support for Sarah and Tom that Katherine and her husband learned of the innovative Anat Baniel Method. Initially thinking that sessions would be unavailable in this country they discovered that one of the few practitioners in the UK in fact, lived locally to the family.
The first few treatments offered up hope to the family, with both Tom and Sarah showing improvement. It was at this point that they approached DCF, hoping for financial support to continue to work with the specialist, that at that time, they were having to fund whilst caring for Tom and Sarah full time at home.
In July 2019 DCF were delighted to inform the family that their application had been approved, and within weeks we received the amazing return news of just how much difference their grant was making to Tom and Sarah’s daily lives.
We are incredibly thankful for the grant, which has enabled continued and sustained treatment. Without this we had only decline to think about, now with improvements we have seen, we have gained hope and with this comes happiness, which is more than we expected and our gratitude is immense. Thank you.”
Siblings Sarah and Tom at home in Crediton.
Whilst writing this story DCF learnt that Tom sadly passed away during the pandemic. Katherine has kindly allowed us to share his story so that Tom may continue to be an inspiration and give hope to others. We extend our thanks and condolences to her and the whole family.
