Latest Wishes – A bedroom sanctuary

Natasha loves her wonderful new sensory bedroom – and so does her Mum!

Natasha, aged 16 and from Newtownbutler in County Fermanagh, Northern Ireland, has Cerebral Palsy, which affects her body movement and muscle co-ordination. She also has Epilepsy, suffering up to 40 epileptic seizures a day, and is registered blind, responding only to bright colours and lights.

Geraldine, Natasha’s mother, had her house purpose-built to accommodate Natasha’s needs and although Geraldine dedicates every waking hour to her daughter, even super-mums need a helping hand. When Natasha is able to go to school, once or twice a week, she loves to spend time in the school’s sensory room and benefits greatly from the equipment. Make-A-Wish helped Geraldine to create a sensory room at home for Natasha so she can relax and sleep more soundly.

The new room is complete with a water bed that plays soothing music. This not only helps to relax Natasha’s muscles each evening, it is also safer for her to sleep in and makes Geraldine’s job a lot easier when she helps Natasha to get comfortable at bedtime. The bedroom also features a bubble tube emitting different coloured lights, designed to soothe and encourage eye contact.

Geraldine said: “The room is unbelievable – Natasha loves it. If she is having a bad day and is in pain, I put her in her room and she smiles and becomes relaxed. The doctor told me she was blind – but she can see the ultra-violet colours in the room and this means so much. Thank you, Make-A-Wish, for what you have done for us. It is amazing!”

In 2010, around 1,000 children will turn to Make-A-Wish to have their special wish granted. We need to raise £5 million this year in order to continue granting these magical wishes. Please help us to grant more magical wishes by making a donation from your pay today.