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swindonlink.com • October 2012 51
Check-up time for bionic Louise
Following major brain surgery three months ago teenager Louise Fisher
from Greenmeadow, who suffers with athetoid cerebral palsy, went for
her first big check-up in mid-September at Evelina Hospital in London,
to find out how she was responding to her new bionic equipment.
Louise’s condition
causes involuntary
movements in her
face, limbs and body,
especially in response Hong in
to sudden movements
and noise. The opera- Oriental BUFFET RESTAURANT
tion fitted a battery-
powered controller
into her upper chest
with probes under
her skin, up through
her neck, behind her Celebrate a super value
Celebrate a super value
left ear and into her
brain to reduce muscle
yet super taste
stimulation. yet super taste
A vital part of her
routine is that for
twenty minutes each
Christmas
day a battery booster Christmas
must be held over the
in Hongxin.
controller to power it
up, a procedure that Mum and dad, Neil and Heather, powering up Louise in Hongxin.
her parents Neil and Heather must stand what she’s saying.”
assist with. During the summer Louise, who
Louise’s check-up included is a pupil at Commonweal School in
assessments by speech therapists, Old Town enjoyed three holidays:
physiotherapists and psychologists one with family in Devon, another
to compare her progress since she horse-riding and camping sup-
was checked before the operation. ported by volunteers from the Lord
Dad Neil said: “Louise is calmer Taveners’ charity, and an activity
and doesn’t jerk so much. She is week in Northern Ireland organised
keen to improve her hand skills so by Swindon Pathfinders, where
she can be more independent and Louise got to ride in a speedboat.
have a better lifestyle. At weekends she enjoys being
*Interior and Exterior Decorationtion
“We know that her speech won’t fussed over by regulars at bingo in *Interior and Exterior Decora
improve much, but she is learning the Fox and Hounds, Haydon Wick
for Christmas & New Year.
for Christmas & New Year.
more words and you can under- who fundraise for her.
*Christmas Crackers are available
*Christmas Crackers are available
Would you walk over hot coals for charity?
That’s the question being asked by Prospect Hospice, who are inviting
the public to take part in their Firewalk fundraiser at Alexandra House
Hotel, Wroughton on 28 October.
The event sees participants being
sponsored to walk barefoot over
burning embers, at temperatures
that can reach almost 800 degrees
centigrade. It also includes a Hal-
loween Party for family and friends
with traditional festive activities Traditional Christmas Dishes
including apple-bobbing and a Available for Dinner.
pumpkin carving competition.
Last year’s firewalk raised nearly
£8,000 towards the costs of the hos-
pice, which looks after more than
1,800 patients and their families in
the Swindon area every year.
Sheryl Crouch, head of fundrais-
ing, said: “The great thing about
the firewalk is that it’s extreme
and demanding without being too
physically challenging, so perfect Party to see how brave they are.” Booking line:
for anyone who wants to find a The cost of taking part is £25 and 01793 877888
different way to fundraise - we participants are asked to aim for
hope to even get some groups from £150 in sponsorship. Pepperbox Hill, Peatmoor,
businesses to take part. Register at www.prospect-hos- Swindon, SN5 5EZ
“We’re also hoping that people pice.net/firewalk or call the Pros-
will bring their friends and family pect fundraising team on 01793 w w w . h o n g x i n . c o . u k
to buy a ticket to our Halloween 816161.
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