Carmarthenshire mum gives back to centre that has looked after her children – South Wales Evening Post

LLANDOVERY mother of four Sarah Parry is attempting the London Marathon to raise money for the centre that has helped her children.

Sarah's two youngest children, Jamie, 8, and Jacob, 2, have cerebral palsy.

Last year Sarah won the Carer of the Year Award in the Carmarthen Journal for her dedication to caring for her children.

Bobath children's therapy Wales is a specialist centre devoted to helping children with cerebral palsy and other neurological diseases.

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Its team of physio, occupational and speech and language therapists focus almost exclusively on cerebral palsy, ensuring expert care and understanding.

Sarah said: "I first heard about Bobath when they offered Jamie a block of therapy there, and that was when I learned about their 'better start, better future' scheme.

"The aim of the scheme is to help diagnose cerebral palsy from a very young age and offers preventative treatment.

Sarah Parry and son Jack

"Cerebral palsy is not normally diagnosed until the child is three, but Bobath helps at-risk children by linking in normal developmental exercises with therapy. Jacob was offered intensive blocks of therapy through this scheme.

"These therapy blocks, as well as his local health professional team, have made a massive impact on his life.

"We've seen such change so far he wasn't able to roll over at all, and now with the help of a walking frame he can take a couple steps.

"It is time for me to give something back and help other children in Wales like Jamie and Jacob get the help and support they need."

Jacob suffered from liver damage and a massive brain bleed due to his premature birth and was christened on his third day as he was not expected to live.

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He pulled through, but was left with cerebral palsy from brain damage.

Bobath has contributed to the training of NHS and other health professionals in order to provide the best care for thousands of children, even those who are unable to travel to the centre, in their own communities.Sarah's two older children also suffer from serious illnesses.

Ellie, 14, is epileptic and suffers from faints, while Jack, 10, is coeliac and also has health issues from the auto immune disease. While caring for her children Sarah has put herself through university in Carmarthen to train as a nurse. She now works part-time as a nurse and trains for marathons in the little spare time she has.

Sarah has run three half marathons so far, including the Cardiff Half Marathon last October, and raised 800 for Bobath Wales.

Now setting her sights on the London Marathon in April, Sarah hopes to raise 2,000 for the centre that has helped improve her children's health and quality of life.

She said: "I'm lucky to have such a strong family support network. I can sometimes fit in an early morning run before getting them ready for school, and during breaks in work I can usually fit one in too. But I have a treadmill at home which helps.

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"I'm on a break of 16 miles for the last couple of months, but I'll start pushing again now.

"I'll be doing the Llanelli Half Marathon in March too."

Cerebral palsy is an umbrella term that refers to a group of disorders affecting a person's ability to move.

It is due to damage to the developing brain either during pregnancy or shortly after birth.It affects people in different ways and can affect body movement, muscle control, muscle coordination, muscle tone, reflex, posture and balance.

You can help Sarah give back to Bobath here, or donations can be made by texting SAPP94 followed by the amount to 70070.

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Carmarthenshire mum gives back to centre that has looked after her children - South Wales Evening Post