QEF Happening Spring 2013 Newsletter for Queen Elizabeth’s Foundation for Disabled People Taking the See Inside A Seaside Story Stress out of A New Landscape for Kerry Investing in the Community Air Travel MERU at 40 Homes and a Garden achieving goals for life qef.org.uk QEF touches the lives of so many of us from disabled people Contents and their families, care and office staff, dedicated volunteers and donors through to people who come to our Getting to Know Us 2 events as well as intrepid individuals taking part in challenges Getting There 3 like the London Marathon. However I am aware that A Seaside Story 4 creating wider public awareness of who and what we do at MERU at 40 5 QEF is a challenge for the charity. Homes and a Garden 6-7 Taking the Stress out of 8 Getting to Air Travel chosen by the Guardian and Investing in the 9 Observer newspapers as one of their Community Know Us chosen 2012 Christmas charities. And A New Landscape for 10 Danny Pike from BBC Radio Surrey Kerry Stories of lives changed, such as those recently interviewed Warren who was of Kerry and Chris who feature in this at QEF’s Independent Living Services, In Memoriam 10 newsletter, bear testimony to the much to the delight of staff and impact QEF has on individuals. Behind disabled people alike. Forthcoming Events 11 each of them, carers and therapists QEF is a very special charity – it is one Donation Form 12 are dedicated to achieving the best of very few disability charities in the UK outcome possible. Their skill, expertise with such a range of services across and hard work are invaluable. such a wide age group from children While this work inevitably takes place aged 3 to disabled people aged 93! “behind closed doors” we do need to But the challenges remain there for us tell more people about what we are – 1 in 6 people in this country have a doing; to inform those who might disability. The number of disabled require our services, and those who children under 16 has grown 62 per might consider supporting us as well cent in the last 27 years. That is why as those who already are. this year we do want to create more opportunities for more people to hear That is why I was so delighted when I about what we do. heard earlier in the year that QEF had been successful with a wonderful On 5 - 6 July MERU, a member of the garden which will be exhibited first at QEF family of charities, will be the 2013 RHS Hampton Court Palace celebrating its 40th birthday and Flower Show in July before being holding Open Days for people to see Jonathan Powell rebuilt back at our Independent Living at first hand the work undertaken for Chief Executive Services centre in Leatherhead. More severely disabled children at the than 200,000 people attend the show centre in Epsom. I hope you will be and with disabled people here able to come. Published by involved in its creation we hope the Queen Elizabeth’s Foundation for I often say that all of us involved at garden will ensure awareness of QEF Disabled People QEF are “Ambassadors” of the work. It flourishes. Leatherhead Court, Woodlands Rd, is only through your help in giving up Leatherhead, Surrey KT22 0BN Our annual events including the time and coming to one of our events Spring and Autumn Ladies Lunches at or pledging a financial gift that we Tel: 01372 841100 Epsom, the Guinness & Oyster Mansion continue to meet the needs of some www.qef.org.uk House event in the City and a 4,000 disabled children and adults corporate day at The Berkshire Golf each year. QEF works with people with Club continue to grow in popularity. So please do think about what you physical and learning disabilities Also in the pipeline are a number of can do to help and take the time to or acquired brain injuries to additional opportunities to enjoy join us at one of our events. It would support them to achieve their yourself and get to know us better, be great to see you there. goals for life. including a Gala evening dinner at Hampton Court House on 9 July and a Thank you so much for your support. Registered Charity No 251051 London to Paris cycle challenge in 18- 21 September. Spreading the word about QEF’s work QEF family of charities has also been helped by being achieving goals for life qef.org.uk 2 Making progress Through practice, repetition and adapted equipment Chris can now prepare some basic meals with minimal support on a daily basis. He has also been proactive in establishing a balanced diet, incorporating good nutritional value and smaller portion sizes, giving him greater control over his weight. Importantly, Chris has been progressing well with his computer skills, enabling him to remain in contact with family and friends. He has even started using a standard Getting There! keyboard rather than an enlarged one. Pets as Therapy Our Christmas Appeal was in support of the vital work The opportunity of looking after rabbits undertaken at our Neuro Rehabilitation Services (NRS) centre in as work experience at a local animal Banstead which helps people whose lives have been turned centre revealed Chris’ love of animals. As a result he is busy organising for a upside down by serious head injuries. Thanks to your support we PAT (Pets as Therapy) dog to visit NRS raised nearly £72,000, which will go towards essential on a regular basis and will be the equipment and services. New windows have been fitted, a official co-ordinator. visitor flat refurbished, wheelchair accessible toilets and ceiling Chris’ progress has been outstanding as is his willpower to rebuild his life. track hoists have been installed and also a stretcher bathroom Piece by piece he is regaining his and a wet room; all from your generosity. independence. And as Chris says, “I’m very grateful to the specialists, Chris, who featured in the Appeal, is Chris was 19 and when he awoke from therapists and carers at QEF as I need resident at Banstead but wants to live the coma his life had changed forever. assistance with day to day activities; independently. He is now able to He had a tube in his throat to breathe the people at QEF are doing so much stand for 10 minutes at the wallbars and another in his stomach to eat. He to help me get better – and, as you and has just taken delivery of his own couldn’t talk or walk and had little can see, I’m getting there!” bespoke standing frame, designed control over his body. Not only was and manufactured by MERU, which Chris’ brain severely damaged but he will enable him to stand on a more also had other serious injuries including regular basis to strengthen his legs. a fracture to his pelvis and half his tongue bitten off. In addition to supporting our services, your generous help has also enabled Fighting spirit us to buy an adjustable profiling bed, What no one could see was Chris’ which allows the user’s position to be fighting spirit and inner determination changed with minimum or no manual to recover. Following the intensive involvement. care and local post trauma Chris is also working hard to dispense rehabilitation he came to QEF for with the hoist he requires to get in and specialist rehabilitation at the end of out of bed. This is remarkable progress 2011. from being totally dependent and There is no doubt that Chris is a fighter. close to death. He is bubbly and alive – full of jokes Written off by the doctors and good humour. He is gradually building his strength and his You might remember that Chris was in pronunciation is becoming clearer so a coma, with severe injuries to his there is no mistaking his Liverpudlian brain and body resulting from impact twang. Weekly music sessions allow when the car in which he was a him to enjoy singing along to familiar passenger hit a tree. The doctors had songs and practise and improve his written him off when for the next three speech. weeks he neither spoke nor moved. achieving goals for life qef.org.uk 3 QEF now provides wheelchair accessible holiday accommodation on the South Coast through VASD, is part of our family of charities. A Seaside Story Kirsty and Chris were struggling to find outside our chalet where we can lie great to have someone who knows suitable holiday accommodation that and soak up the sun.” what’s going on around the site” would offer full wheelchair access, Fourth visit Kirsty is thinking about trying out Goring wasn’t too big and that was happy to for a short break so they can go away take their Chihuahua and Spaniel This year will be Kirsty and Chris’ fourth with friends but her heart is definitely in cross dogs. They used to holiday in a visit to Bracklesham Bay. In fact they Bracklesham. “I would go three times a campervan but were finding it more had their honeymoon at the chalet year if I could – it’s a really great difficult to do this and found a lot of last year as it’s a “nice intimate place” disabled friendly holiday homes either place”. weren’t friendly enough or were too Kirsty and Chris usually come with a big for them.