Marianne and Hayley Earp

I was a really frustrated mother of a disabled child. I knew Hayley was capable of doing a whole lot more than what she was doing But everyone I spoke to at school didn?t have the answers for the questions I had. Physio at school is limited to two 30 minute sessions per week and they seemed to think that that was enough and it wasn?t.

I had already applied to CE in Birmingham a few years ago but was turned down because they didn?t think that they could treat Hayley, even though they hadn?t seen her. So one day I was looking through the local paper and I came across an advert for CE at Megan Baker House.

I made a phone call and an appointment was made for Hayley to come for an assessment. The Conductors initial thoughts were that it was going to be a tough job but a placement was secured and she started in Sept 04.

She attended the centre for two hours a week and in six weeks she was walking on parallel bars. It?s amazing you really can?t put it into words, when you know your child can do more!

Hayley can now walk independently with the use of sticks and she has been taught other essential life skills such as coordination for putting her shoes on and off, dressing herself and she will soon be working on toileting.

I no longer have to carry Hayley as she now wants to be independent.

Although it?s hard work and some days are better than others, Hayley loves attending the centre and looks forward to visiting ?Becky?s house?!

If someone asked me about Megan Baker house I would say that ?you have to give your child the chance to achieve their best potential and at MBH they can concentrate on everyday needs and develop?.

They are all really friendly and you can talk to them about anything, if you?ve got a problem with either boots or a wheelchair or anything really they can point you in the right direction to get it sorted out. Jo has always got advice about funding for things or if you have an appointment she can advise you, as she has been through it all herself.