Devon just wants to get around and play like all the other kids.

Hi, my name is Devon. I am 4 years old, and I have severe cerebral palsy. I have to use a special wheelchair to get around, or otherwise I need to be carried. I am not easy to carry because I am quite tall, and my legs and arms are quite stiff, and I cannot hold on. I cannot eat, I have to have all my food and fluids through a tube in my stomach (mic key button). I get lots of chest infections, and have spent quite a bit of time in Starship Hospital. I have lots of appointments we have to go to, like physiotherapy, dietician, speech language therapist, paediatrician. Every time we have to go out, it is difficult. Sometimes the hospital carpark is closed (at staff change over times), we cannot even get to a disability park, and I have to be carried a long way. Other times we have to go to hospital in a hurry, and the wheelchair gets left behind, as it takes precious time to fold and load, then unfold, and get me into it. When we go out, I get carried to the car, and belted into my car seat. Hazel (she is 2) gets belted into her seat beside me. Then my wheelchair has to be collapsed down and manoeuvred into the boot. It is a beautiful chair, specially made for me, but it is heavy and bulky. When we get to wherever we are going, the process with the wheelchair is reversed, and I get lifted back into my wheelchair. Recently I heard Mum say "I can't do this any more". Mum and Dad decided to apply for a lotteries grant, and to sell the car, so they could buy a special van. A van that I could be lifted into with a special lift, and I could stay sitting safely in my wheelchair. No more heavy lifting, and getting in and out of things all the time. Once my wheelchair is in the car, there is not much room left for anything else. We have recently had to move to a bigger house, because of all my special gear that I need, we didn't have enough room in the old house, and of course, we now have to pay more rent.

Mum and Dad were absolutely gutted when their application was declined. Apparently they did not supply enough information, and I heard Mum say "we are just not into doing sob stories". Mum and Dad just get on with it, they never complain, and they do not have an easy job. I take up a lot of their time every day.

I used to love having a swing, and could fit into one, but now I am too long, and I cannot hold on, so I just miss out. My Aunty tells me there is a special swing in Whangarei which a wheelchair fits on. I would like to try that.

My very most favourite thing to do is to cuddle up with Dad and watch the cricket. It would be nice if we could go out together a bit more. Having a special van for my wheelchair would make that possible, ease some of the load on Mum and Dad, and make our lives a little easier.

These funds will be used to purchase a van that will allow the family to travel together easier.