Water Babies Ireland’s leading baby and toddler swim school is launching a fundraising campaign for one of their little Water Babies , Tadhg Kelly who needs surgery and treatment costing €80,000 in St.Louis, Missouri, U.S.A. Water Babies will raise funds across their classes in Dublin, Meath, Kildare and Louth over a period of a week commencing Saturday, 29th November.
Tadhg is four years old and lives with his parents in Clonsilla, Dublin. He has spastic diplegia cerebral palsy. He cannot walk or crawl, so his only way to get around the house is to pull himself along the floor. Tadhg’s parents Jonathan Kelly and Moya Muldowney want to give Tadhg the best chance in life so they are fundraising for SDR surgery and the intensive long-term physiotherapy needed afterwards, so that Tadhg can reach his full potential and live a fairly independent life in the future.
Moya Muldowney said “We have to raise this amount as soon as possible, as the younger Tadhg has the surgery, the better. Surgery will not only help Tadhg’s mobility but it will also help is sitting, standing, transitions between postures, balance and overall comfort. Without it Tadhg would be confined to a wheel chair. The children’s hospital has said that he is an excellent candidate for the surgery. Dr Park, who will perform the surgery has been described as an “Angel from God’ who has a 100 per cent success rate and has worked on over 3,000 children.”
Moya Muldowney is thrilled that Water Babies has offered to fundraise at their classes for Tadhg. “Tadhg loved attending Water Babies classes. Initially they really helped his head control and all the singing and visual aids were very engaging for Tadhg. Water Babies classes also helped with his hand eye co-ordination and his core strength and all the arm and leg movements were great for him. It was also good for his confidence. Tadhg would not be able to jump outside of the pool and for him to have that sensation of jumping in off the side was great for him to experience.”
Carol McNally from Water Babies said “We are delighted to be able to help Tadhg and his family in their fundraising efforts. Tadhg attended Water Babies classes for two years and was able to incorporate his swimming classes easily into his weekly routine.”
“In water, a child’s special need is often not apparent and the child can participate just like any other child in the Water Babies class. Also the resisted movement of the limbs in water helps to build muscle tone. Because many of the swimming pools we use are hydrotherapy pools, and much warmer than normal swimming pools, muscles relax and more range of movement can be achieved – often leading to improvements in mobility out of the water. Not to mention the child is having fun with children the same age – having a splashing time in the classes.“
“Over the years, Water Babies has taught many children with many different needs so we are happy to use our experience to give parents lots of advice about swimming with special or additional need.“ added Carol.
Water Babies classes are taught using progressive building blocks, expanding on simple skills as the weeks progress. Despite our classes being full of energy, our teaching is totally empathetic, going at the pace and adapting to the needs of each individual child.
For further information about Tadhg, please check out http://www.tadhgswishtowalk.
Watch Tadhg and his Mum & Dad on RTE’s Nationwide
Donations can be made securely through iDonate, via bank transfer or Text ‘WALK’ to 57802 (Texts cost €2.00 per SMS. A minimum of €1.38 from each text will go to Tadghs Wish to Walk. Service Provider Phonovation Ltd. Helpline 0818217100)
Bank name: Permanent TSB
Branch: Blanchardstown Centre, Unit 134-135, The Red Mall, Blanchardstown
Account Name: Tadhg’s wish to walk
Bank Account Number: 23370680
Sort Code: 990651
IBAN: IE54IPBS99065123370680
Swift Code: IPBSIE2D
For more information on Water Babies classes, please log onto www.waterbabies.ie