NEW technology is helping to change the lives of life-limited and disabled children with help from a Warwickshire supporter.
Warwickshire Freemasons’ raised over £35,000 for the charity Lifelites which provides life-changing equipment to children cared for by Zoe’s Place Hospice in Coventry and Acorns Hospice in Birmingham.
The technology includes ‘Eyegaze’, which helps children communicate with their parents and carers, Mobile Magic Carpet, which allows them to move around comfortably and play with their siblings, and Virtual Reality, which allows teenagers to escape into worlds they never thought possible.
Lifelites Chief Executive Simone Enefer-Doy said: “With the long-standing support from the Warwickshire Freemasons, we can give those life-limited and disabled children visiting Acorns and Zoe’s Place the possibility to control something for themselves, play with their brothers and sisters, and tell their parents they love them, sometimes for the first time.
“It’s wonderful to see that these technologies can have a tremendous impact on the lives of these children. It really does give those with limited lives unlimited possibilities. We are so grateful for the long-standing and generous support of the Warwickshire Freemasons.”
Six-year old Luca is among those who have benefited from the technology donated by Lifelites. Luca was diagnosed with CHARGE syndrome, which causes difficulties in swallowing, breathing, hearing and sight, as well as development delays. But the new adaptive iPad allows him to see colourful apps, make music and create all kinds of sounds. It comes with a wide variety of apps specifically designed for children with different needs.
Provincial Grand Master of Warwickshire Freemasons’, Philip L. Hall, added: “It is an honour for us to enable Lifelites to provide life-changing technology for children using Acorns and Zoe’s Place.
“We know that the hospices, the children and their families are going through a very difficult time right now. With our donation, we want to help reduce the burden, so that these children can escape the confines of their conditions, and connect with their families in ways not possible before.”
