Disability is a difficult thing to come to terms with, especially in children. Whether their disability has been present since birth, or they’ve needed to adapt to a disability at a young age, it’s a challenge. But we're firm believers in focusing on what people can achieve, instead of what they can’t.
Brainwave is a charity that helps children with disabilities to achieve greater independence by improving mobility, communication skills and learning potential through a range of specialist therapies.
The charity’s aim to help children to reach their potential is closely aligned to our own, which is why we’re proud to be launching a close partnership with Brainwave.
Brainwave has been delivering essential therapies to children with disabilities for over 38 years and the children they work with may have a range of conditions including acquired brain injury, cerebral palsy, hydrocephalus and many more.
Our legal experts are on hand to provide support and legal advice to families and children who are looking for answers after an illness or injury. We’re here to help them get access to the best rehabilitation, therapies and equipment to enable them to live as independent lives as possible.
Hudson's story
Hudson has cerebral palsy and has been following a Brainwave Therapy Programme since 2015. He recently had a reassessment with Mervin, a specialist paediatric physiotherapist and sensory integration practitioner; and Claire, a specialist speech and language therapist.
Following the great progress he has made, he was awarded a Certificate of Achievement. Hudson’s mum Suzanne said: “Mervin and Claire are so supportive and positive. They are always giving us new challenges to work on which Hudson is really engaged with, and so he’s determined to succeed at.
"During lockdown, we kept up with the Therapy Programme five days a week. It’s definitely been a game changer, and Hudson is now walking independently.
"Brainwave’s strategies really do work if you can put in the time and repetition. We’re so pleased to have the support from Mervin, Claire and the rest of the team at Brainwave."
Neuroplasticity is key
Brainwave’s tailored Therapy Programmes are based on the principle of neuroplasticity – helping the brain find new pathways by providing regular repetition of newly acquired skills; the results of this therapy can be life changing.
Children who could barely move now walk independently, those who couldn’t make a sound now giggle, and those who struggled at school are now striding ahead.
The achievements of these children could not happen without the charity’s multidisciplinary team of physiotherapists, speech and language therapists, occupational therapists and learning development support workers.
Like many charities, Brainwave has had to adapt their services to a virtual platform and they continue to support children and families with additional needs. They’ve therefore developed a virtual therapy service, Brainwave Online, which allows the families to continue their tailored Therapy Programmes, have regular access to the multi-disciplinary team and adapt the activities following reassessment.
With detailed planning, the therapists are delivering a virtual service that mirrors the face-to-face assessments with the same high standard of support. They researched and invested in a secure, NHS-approved, medical consultation platform to protect children and families online.
Dawn Chance, Brainwave’s lead specialist paediatric physiotherapist, stressed that no two children and no two families are the same. She said “We pride ourselves on tailoring our Therapy Programmes around the needs of the child and family life. We take the time to explain their unique programme to the family, and this enables them to deliver the therapy to their child at home with confidence.
"We film video clips demonstrating each activity and exercise for the families so they can continue to reinforce the skills learnt at home or when they want to demonstrate to others, such as care workers and teaching assistants.
"We also provide families with specialist equipment and resources required to carry out their Therapy Programme, such as speech and language aids or physiotherapy equipment."
Brainwave’s chief executive, Keith Sinclair, acknowledged that whilst the challenges the charity has faced are extremely difficult, he is “so proud that we have been able to adapt and develop an incredible new service option for our families.
"We take a ‘whole family’ approach and our family facilitators have been pivotal in achieving this, often providing a lifeline to families during the difficult lockdown periods."
A lasting legacy
Brainwave is an independent charity that complements the NHS. However, it doesn’t receive any statutory funding and therefore relies on voluntary donations to run the service.
From 22-26 February 2021, we’re supporting Brainwave by facilitating their Free Wills Week. We’re encouraging any new or existing supporters of Brainwave to create their Will, either online or by phone. This service allows you to leave a gift in your Will to support Brainwave or any other charitable causes you support, but you're under no obligation to. By supporting Brainwave, you could also be leaving a lasting legacy to help other children and families. A charitable Will is an inspiring way to leave a lasting legacy and you can help the charity deliver Therapy Programmes to children with disabilities and additional needs.
Learn more about leaving a legacy to Brainwave in your Will
To start writing your Will please visit our online Wills service.
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