“My daughter Ellie has cerebral palsy and all her limbs are affected so she uses an electric wheelchair to enable her to be as independent as possible. She attends a mainstream school (Archbishop Blanch) but as a family it can be difficult to find places to visit and have fun together. People can be reluctant to get involved with you, maybe because they’re scared of disability?
Greenbank Sports Academy is different – Ellie and her brother have been going there for the past 5 years. Over that time period she has done lots of activities including art, cookery and sport – there are lots of sports activities that Ellie can do – everything is adapted in some way so that she can be involved. She has been attending the weekly wheelchair hockey program and gets really competitive. There are also lots of day trips on offer, which she loves; she has been canoeing in the river Mersey and rock climbing to name but a few.
The reason Ellie loves it so much is that she feels that she doesn’t get treated differently to any other child. She has lots of independence and the space available is fantastic – Ellie can move round freely. It’s great that siblings can go to sessions too – it gives Ellie and her brother Josh some quality time together.
Ellie and Josh have had some great experiences and they have made really great friends. Thank you again.
Margaret Curran
Mother of Ellie Curran, School’s Out participant
