A £10,000 fundraising bid has been launched to improve the quality of life for an Angus girl with rare epilepsy.
Victoria Hendry, who is 10, is one of just over 100 patients worldwide to have been diagnosed with a rare form of epilepsy called SCN8A.
The Kingspark pupil suffered her first seizure aged six months and is confined to a wheelchair as a result of the condition which remains poorly understood.
Victoria can’t speak, can’t walk, has severe developmental delay, and is tube fed, but is a happy girl, despite the difficulties in her life.
The Forfar girl currently uses a basic NHS wheelchair which is uncomfortable for her and has outgrown her specialist house chair.
Local businessman Brian Stewart has set up a Just Giving page to raise £10,000 to purchase a Kiddo wheelchair and a special Panda Future 5 house chair for Victoria.
Already over £1,000 has been raised and Victoria’s mum Lisa Ritchie, who is her full-time carer, said she was blown away by the generosity.
She said: “The wheelchair she has is basic but it isn’t very supportive.
“The Kiddo wheelchair will give her the extra support she needs and will greatly improve her quality of life.”
People can donate at www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/brian-stewart.
* For more on this story see Saturday’s Courier, also available as a digital edition.
