Ben's story

Eleven year old Ben from Bootle, Liverpool has a rare genetic condition called Cri Du Chat syndrome which causes him to have limited mobility and use a wheelchair. Additionally he has severe learning difficulties and is not able to speak, using signs and pointing to communicate with those around him. Ben needs constant care and copes very well for a young boy who has to live daily with the many symptoms related to his condition.

 

Due to Ben’s difficulties, he still tends to put most things in his mouth and so having a conventional lawn with mud and grass is a constant worry for his parents. The WellChild Helping Hands team including volunteers from British manufacturing firm, SSL International decided to limit this concern by putting down a fake grass surface to allow Ben to play in his garden safely.

The team began the two-day makeover by clearing the garden to create a blank canvas then proceeded to erect some new fencing panels, a specialist swing and the artificial lawn. The team also sourced and installed a Disney themed wall panel which really added some colour into the area and created somewhere really inviting for Ben to spend time. The end result saw the family gaining a fully revitalised garden that was not only accessible to Ben but also a place in which he and his parents could be happy that he was playing in safety.

Sue Ford, Ben’s mum was overjoyed with the project saying “It is so brilliant that we have had this experience – I cannot believe that this is our same garden. I already know that Ben is going to be out here playing all summer when we had previously not been able to get him out here. You can tell that he loves it so much already which, of course, makes us so happy. Thank you so much to every member of the team who came in and tirelessly worked for the two days – I can’t thank you enough.”