When we first came to Parent and Child, though Holly has problems with all her limbs, her hands were her main problem. She couldn’t move them at all. She would hold them really tight and close to her. Now if you ask her, she can not only give you her hand but she can open and close it – and that’s a massive step forward for Holly as it has meant she can do all sorts of things she couldn’t do before. She never used to play, but she can now, and she’s come on so much because suddenly she could see the cause and effect of things. She really enjoys it and she wants to learn. She can touch things and watch when things happen. She shouts when she sees a toy to encourage you to fetch it for her. She has learned all sorts of things like colours and she can explore the world for herself. I never realised children got so much from play until I came here. She has a whole new perspective on life – which is brilliant for her.

 

The support we get here is invaluable. The staff are very positive and they have taught us so many things. It’s learning the odd little skills which help so much, like lifting the spoon and bending her arm back to help her when she’s feeding. And her language too. She’s always been interested in people but when she came she wasn’t saying anything. Now she can say Mama and Dadda and she says yum if she’s hungry. And because of all the physical work she’s learned all her body parts too!

 

I always thought, even right at the beginning when the doctors sat us down at the hospital, that there was definitely something there. She looked as if she understood you somehow. Conductive Education has showed us how to get the best out of her. It’s really been amazing – the best thing we’ve done for her. It’s like she’s woken up.

 

Emma, Mum