It’s that time of year when our wonderful staff vote on which charity Greendale will raise funds for and support over the 2016. The votes are in and we are delighted to announce that Bobby’s Future will be our charity for the next 12 months.
On 11th May 2013, Jay and Leanne Griffiths welcomed their beautiful baby boy, Bobby, into the world. When Bobby was born he was motionless and very floppy. He was rushed out of the delivery room but returned soon after and his parents were told he was ‘just a lazy boy’. However, it was soon noticed that Bobby wasn’t feeding and had to be syringed milk. Mum and baby stayed in the paediatric intensive care unit for 6 weeks whilst tests were run. Bobby was subsequently diagnosed with Chromosome 14q Deletion Syndrome and Gastro Oesophageal Reflux Disorder (GORD). Bobby is constantly in and out of hospital and has undergone numerous surgical procedures. No one can be sure what the future of this diagnosis will be but it is expected that Bobby will have learning difficulties and be physically disabled although they are not able to say to what extent. Chromosome 14q Deletion Syndrome is a rare condition and it is believed that there are only 12 other known cases of the condition with the oldest child only being 15 years old. Bobby is now 2.5 years old but still very much like a baby and totally dependent on his devoted mum and dad. Bobby can’t support himself at all and is fed via a pump which is running 24 hours a day and feeds straight into his bowel. Bobby vomits and gags up to 20 times a day and through the night which is a constant worry for those closest to him. Bobby has to have 24/7 care and has to have continual suction so that he doesn’t choke. As Bobby is growing up it is becoming harder for his parents to carry him around their home and it is therefore necessary for them to start looking at modifications and installing a hoist for him. It is unknown what other equipment he will need as he grows but it is likely their home will need to be altered further to make life as easy as possible for him. Jay, Bobby’s dad, is a local policeman and because he is working Bobby’s family are given minimal financial help towards his care and these alterations, so they therefore rely on local fundraisers and events to help towards making these changes and providing him with the equipment that he so desperately needs.
Please visit http://www.gofundme.com/bobbysfuture to read more about Bobby and his condition.