We have recently asked parents who attend our courses for stories on how the course as benefited their children. Here is one such letter from a parent who attended the course we ran in Kendal 2006

"I read your newsletter and you asked for stories of how your courses have benefited our children. What a pleasure to do this.
My son has personally benefited on many levels from attending your courses and I would like to thank your charity for supporting individuals like my son to achieve skills and a level of independence frequently denied him.
As well as being physically disabled my son has learning difficulties and I had a battle royal to get the Health Service to facilitate him with a chair that was self mobilising. Closed mindsets at best. I had facilitated my son the opportunity to water-ski on a customised ski so balance was not an issue closed mindsets however where.
Eventually after lots of letters and lobbying higher up the pecking scale a sports chair was facilitated and soon after we attended on of your courses.
I well up still with tears when I recall that first course and how his face shone with personal pride when he realised he was better at something than MUM! how he laughed watching me struggle with wheelchair manoeuvres he had mastered his self esteem was boosted.
The course then introduced him to new skills which with his usual gusto he attacked full on. Others with a physical disability where motivated by watching someone with so many complex health issues have a go. The feel good factor given to my son in being able to support more nervous and first time users serves to break down further feelings he is different. There is no value that can be placed on such learning.
Since then my son has attended the course with his support assistants and has been empowered as he inducts them in what is required to support him. They equally have all come away with "their eyes and minds opened" to just what effort it takes to use a wheelchair adding to their understanding and underpinning knowledge. My son independence levels with such support just keep growing.
One can never estimate how far the ripple from one person attending one of your courses spreads but in my experience it has been far reaching. May your charity grow from strength to strength. I have always found your staff helpful and supportive especially at the beginning when after struggling so hard to facilitate relevant wheelchairs to open up my sons world I had experienced nothing but negativity your teams positive approach was a breath of fresh air.
I hope this letter helps you gain the much needed funding you require I personally can not put a value on what your service has given to our family .......the smile on my sons face priceless :0)"

Carole Cliffe