In early 2011 when we first met Jocelyn she was a 3 year old girl with a very rare condition; Migrating Partial Epilepsy of Infancy – a condition that less than 100 people have worldwide.

Jocelyn had multiple and complex support needs and children with her diagnosis have a shortened expected lifespan.  She had motor, language and cognitive delays and a severe movement disorder with dystonia.  Jocelyn was having on average of 20-30 seizures a day which impacted her alertness, mood and motor control.

Jocelyn was fed via a PEG (a tube directly into her stomach) and required 1:1 care full time with all daily routines, play and movement/positioning.  She was also presenting with a scoliosis of her spine and other possible orthopaedic issues.  Jocelyn had not reached any of her motor milestones.

Jocelyn was starting to enjoy sitting for short periods, with support, and when she was alert she could enjoy and participate in social, play and communication activities in this position. To enable her to spend us much time in this position as possible, Jocelyn needed a Second Skin Body Splint.

The Body Splint would be beneficial for her motor development, posture and stability when sitting, standing, playing and communicating.  It would improve her core stability and therefore promote better head control and upper limb use.  It would also support her body in a better position for all activities and allow her muscles to be in an optimal position for function and growth which would have muscular, orthopaedic and gastrointestinal benefits.

Jocelyn’s Body Splint Appeal raised the $2,055 needed for her first suit – and we look forward to being able to help to fund more suits for Jocelyn each year as she grows.

Update: August 2011 – We were happy to fund $169.84 of  in-home nursing care for Jocelyn this month.

Update: September 2011 – We were happy to fund $463.20 of  in-home nursing care for Jocelyn this month.

Update: November 2011 – We were happy to fund $169.84 of  in-home nursing care for Jocelyn this month.

Update: November 2011 – We were happy to fund $154.40 of  in-home nursing care for Jocelyn this month.

Update: November 2011 – We were happy to fund $154.40 of  in-home nursing care for Jocelyn this month.

Update June 2012 – We launched an appeal for Jocey’s 2nd Second Skin Body Splint – and the $1433 was raised in just 2 days!