Poles Show Light At The End Of Tunnel

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A Dad of six is due to throw himself out of a plane to raise vital funds for his nephew's medical treatment. John Gibbens, from St. Mary Cray, England, is set to take on the challenge next month to help his seven-year-old nephew Shea. The youngster, who has quadriplegic cerebral palsy, currently uses a wheelchair but has already learned to walk about 30 metres through pioneering treatment in Poland. Mr Gibbens said: "We decided to see if we could help my brother. My wife phoned me at work and said: 'I've got some good news, you're jumping out of a plane next month.'

"I'm looking forward to it, it's another experience. It doesn't bother me, but I'm not saying I won't be nervous on the day!

"I want to raise as much as possible. Every little helps."

The family need £7,000 for the treatment which Shea has had twice before. The treatment has allowed him to walk a short distance and stand for one or two minutes.

His father, Mick Gibbens, says the family have struggled to get effective medical care for Shea.

"It's a long way to go but it's a start. If it wasn't for us going elsewhere [for medical treatment] my boy would not be able to sit up properly.

"[In Poland] they work on the muscles. It's a therapy rather than a treatment. Their idea is that kids like Shea have never had any muscle strength because they sit or lie down all the time."

Shea is already the national face of Whizz Kids, a national charity which provides wheelchairs for disabled children.

The Gibbens are also holding a fundraising auction at Old Road Football Club, Kidbrooke at 7.30pm on Tuesday, January 24.

Source: Bromley Times

Jan.19.2006



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