Little Ruby gets a new lease of life

9:30am Tuesday 13th January 2009

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A BRAVE youngster with a rare genetic disease is enjoying new- found freedom after getting a specially adapted wheelchair.

Two-year-old Ruby Crowther suffers with type 2 spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) which is causing the nerves sending signals to her muscles to die off.

The debilitating condition means she will never be able to walk and her life span will be limited to her 20s, but despite this Ruby is a happy and strong-willed child, according to parents Phillippa and Nick.

Your Worcester News previously reported how charity Worcester Round Table had agreed to buy Ruby a new £4,500 ‘Skippy’ wheelchair tailored for her little frame, after being contacted by Ruby’s school, continued on page 5 Rushwick pre-school, near Worcester.

The Otto Bock chair was delivered the weekend after Christmas and since then the tot has spent the last few days whizzing around the lounge chasing after her older sister six-year-old Madeleine and new labrador puppy Bramble.

Mrs Crowther said Ruby was enjoying her new found freedom and explained the chair would make a huge difference to her quality of life.

“She loves it. Ruby controls it herself with a joystick but it has handles and another joystick behind the seat,” she said.

“When she sees it, she says ‘big chair’ and ‘wheelchair’ and when she’s in it she can put her play table on it and do a bit of drawing or painting.”

With ramps the youngster will be safe to venture from room to room and more often outdoors, and with a specially adapted car, Ruby will be able to travel even further afield for day trips.

A specialist from the German-based wheelchair manufacturer came to measure Ruby for the chair early last year and it was difficult to pull her away even then, according to her mum.

“She’d seen it before and thought it was great,” said Mrs Crowther.

“She’s only been round the lounge and crashed into a few things but she’s quickly getting the hang of it.”

The chair is fitted with extra padding and arm supports to help keep Ruby’s back straight which should help her posture, and could help stabilise the curvature of her spine.

Customisable features mean as Ruby grows, padding and support can be added or taken away if necessary and the wheelchair should last her two years.

Geoff Luxton, round table chairman, said putting a smile on the youngster’s face was exactly why members had supported buying the wheelchair.

“The money to buy the chair has come from the bonfire and fireworks on Pitchcroft last year so really it is down to the people of Worcester,” he said.

“We’re always looking to provide something tangible to good causes in the area.”

To find out more about the round table, contact Mr Luxton on 07718 968596