React Gives Cassie an early Christmas Present

Five year old Cassie Mansfield lives with an extremely complex ilness, CHARGE syndrome and has Hypotonic Cerebral Palsy along with other intricate conditions. Cassie requires full time care from her parents and requires the use of mobility and medical equipment which she uses every day.

CHARGE syndrome is a genetic disorder which has a known pattern of features and Cassie's growth, feeding, respiration and mobility are severely affected. She is also very small for her age and often shares clothes with her 14 month old baby sister. Despite her numerous conditions, Cassie is a fiesty and cheeky little girl with a love of lights and enjoys walks to the park.

While Cassie continued to grow, the need for home adaptations has become increasingly essential. However, her parents Marta and Steve struggled to afford the costly refurbishments. "After moving to a new home, finances were stretched and we couldn't do the necessary adaptations ourselves. Cassie needs an adapted wet room as handling her is becoming more and more of a problem as she grows older."

React has been working with the family for three years and had previously provided Cassie with an early intervention system which provides support and comfort for babies and toddlers with global developmental delay. Marta contacted React with the hopes of assistance after struggling to afford a specially adapted wet room for Cassie.

"I cried happy tears when we received the good news from React. The wet room is perfect and so much easier for Cassie now. It has everything she needs and it will be a massive improvement on Cassie as well as our health and handling her. We can't express how grateful we are to React, this is a perfect Christmas present for Cassie."

Notes:

There can be no greater tragedy than to be told your child lives with an illness which will shorten his or her life. REACT (Rapid Effective Assistance for Children with potentially Terminal illness) exists to improve the quality of life for children with life-limiting illnesses who are living in families experiencing financial hardship.

React works to give these children comfort, dignity and where possible, greater independence. React provides a wide range of equipment from specialist wheelchairs, beds, baths, and mobility aids, to essential everyday items like washing machines and tumble dryers. React can also offer mobile home holidays in the UK and sometimes, sadly funeral and memorial expenses.