the lennon fund

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Lennon Heyder is a three year old boy who lives with Spastic Quadriplegia Cerebral Palsy. Spastic quadriplegia is the most severe form of cerebral palsy, in which all four limbs and the trunk are affected. Born fourteen weeks premature, one of twins, Lennon spent his first thirteen weeks in hospital, and suffered from chronic lung disease, which threatened his life. An undiagnosed hernia, followed by a major operation followed, before Lennon was finally allowed home to mum Lisa, dad Liam and twin sister Kayla.

Since then, Lennon was diagnosed in November 2011 with Spastic Quadriplegia Cerebral Palsy affecting all four limbs. This is the most severe form of Cerebral Palsy, where all four limbs and the trunk are affected, as well as difficulty in controlling muscles in the mouth and tongue. Further complications associated with this condition include seizures, bowel and bladder dysfunction, scoliosis, hip dislocation, tooth decay and skin sores.

Lennon was further diagnosed with Profound Neurodevelopmental delay, where a childs basic survival instincts are not inhibited, as is the norm. This can lead to problems with balance, motor control, hand-eye co-ordination and perceptual skills. Also, as a result of treatment for his lung disease, Lennon suffered an injury to his nasal septum.

Lennon has also been diagnosed with Systematic Epilepsy, a form of Epilepsy where the cause of seizures is unknown, as well as Faltering Growth, Lennon is not achieving expected growth potential. Lennons Fund became aware of the possibility of visiting Dens as part of the Community Initiative after a chance encounter, as dad Liam explains. Lisa and the committee were out canvassing for the fund along with Lennon and bumped into Rab Douglas, Rab took time to listen and understand what we were trying to do for Lennon, he then gave us a few contact details of some people he felt could help along the way - the main one being Dundee.' With our family being Dundee Supporters we were even more overwhelmed that Lennon's Fund would be supported by not only Dundee football team but the Dundee community as well, we are looking forward to raising awareness of Lennon's Fund on the day we visit Dundee. Liam was overwhelmed that the club he supports would offer to help. I have been a Dundee fan for many years and although i do not attend as many games these days, I was a season ticket holder for many years before Lennon and Kayla were born. Now I just do not have the necessary care for Lennon to attend games.

Lennon has recently joined the Junior Dark Blues along with his older brother Hayden, and it means so much more to us that OUR local team, that we have supported is now supporting our cause. It makes it that little extra special, and we cannot wait for the day. Hopefully Lennon and his brother and sister will get the chance to see all their heroes

Lennon is currently undergoing therapy twice a week at Armistead Child development Centre, where he receives much needed physiotherapy, visual impairment classes, speech and language classes, and occupational and hydro therapy. He also attends a separate physiotherapist but is having great difficulty due to his age and lack of strength in his neck and inability to stand unsupported. Lennon likes to be in close physical contact with other people and is very responsive to touch. He requires additional support when seated and he exerts increased amounts of physical energy trying to maintain a posture. He is currently unable to lift and control his head movements.

While Lennon responds well to certain sounds by smiling, giggling and showing changing facial expressions he cannot as yet move his head towards the direction of the sounds. He is also aware of light in a dark room but again cannot follow the source of the light, nor identify low light sources such as a light up toy. He still has great difficulty eating and every day is a chore for mum trying to feed him the simplest of meals.

Increased care and attention will be required as he grows, and the family will require help with not only funding Lennons care, but also the cost of altering their home to accommodate Lennon in comfort. It is estimated that the cost of caring for a cerebral palsy sufferer is around 750,000 over the lifetime of the sufferer.

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the lennon fund