Welcome to Fi's Fund

What is the money for?
We are raising money for Fiona to go to a specialist rehabilitation centre where she will spend three months receiving up to six hours of therapy per day. Such intense and holistic therapy is not available through the NHS and will cost up to £20,000. The £20,000 includes the cost of state of the art callipers which will be much lighter and less bulky than the ones Fiona currently has; making it easier for her to learn to walk in them. An additional cost of £2,500 for a lightweight wheelchair which will give Fiona back her independence has been covered by David Freer and funds raised by Croft Car Boot Sale.

Ultra lightweight callipers
	The NHS provide basic callipers with heavy steel struts but to have the best chance of being able to walk again Fiona needs state of the art orthotic callipers. Being much lighter then the standard issue NHS callipers, the new callipers will put far less strain on Fiona's joints when she tries to walk in them. They will be easier for her to move in, increasing her ability to walk in them. Instead of stainless steel struts the callipers have extremely lightweight titanium struts which are far less bulky and will enable the callipers to be worn under clothing and whilst Fiona is sitting in her wheelchair. Her current callipers are too bulky for this so she can at the moment she can only wear them when she is doing her physio.

Specialist Rehabilitation
	Physability are specialists in exercise therapy for individuals affected by spinal injury. They use an interdisciplinary approach and draw from a range of disciplines such as the Dikul method from Russia combined with physiology, biomechanics, osteopathy and other complimentary therapies. A team of dedicated specialists ensures that each client is provided with the right therapy, in the right way, at the right time. Exercise therapists deliver the core exercise programme (stretching, strength, balance, gait and cardio-vascular work), reflex therapy and massage; whilst a team of external consultants provide osteopathy, acupuncture, homeopathy and shiatsu. The foundation course is 13 weeks long to allow time for the client to achieve significant changes in function and fitness.

Ultra lightweight wheelchair (being funded in its entirety by Croft Car Boot - separate to £20,000 appeal)
	Organisers of Croft Car Boot felt that it was vital for Fiona to be able to move around independently. Unfortunately, the surgery has meant that her old wheelchair, which was very lightweight, is no longer usable by her and the wheelchair provided by the hospital is too heavy for her. This makes it very tiring for Fiona to push and she cannot pick it up. Trying to pick it up could damage the rods in her spine and she is at high risk of dislocating her wrists and shoulders. Also the chair has a tall back rest which won't fold down and the frame is bulky. Which makes it impossible for Fiona to get it into the car on her own. As a result, although Fiona is able to drive, she is not able to go anywhere alone as she cannot manage her chair. Croft Car Boot are funding the lightest, most minimal chair on the market, which will mean that Fiona will be able to go out on her own and to attend hospital and physio appointments without being reliant on hospital transport or someone to go with her.