Helen

Helen is 28 years old and started living in Hannahwood Mews, part of our young adult provision, in September 2010 when she was 19. She is a happy young lady with lots of friends and enjoys regular visits from her father Roger.

Soon after Helen was born the family moved from Kent to Devon where there was better provision for children with disabilities. Her father Roger transferred jobs. Initially Helen attended Trengweath Conductive Education School before moving to Woodlands School in Honicknowle and then on to Milford School. Helen’s father heard about Dame Hannahs from the Bradbury family whose son Dan was already attending Dame Hannah Rogers School.

From birth Helen has had Cerebral Palsy, quadriplegia, epilepsy and scoliosis. Since starting in Hannahwood, she has made a lot of progress in her development. She has made good friends particularly with Freddie, as they have really grown up together in the last nine years, and Daisy with whom she enjoys going to the theatre. She has become much more grown up and more patient. Her eye pointing is good and when she is in the mood she can understand everything. She also has a wicked sense of humour!

When she arrived at Dame Hannahs Helen was being fed normally but she was too thin and kept getting chest infections. So it was decided that it would be safer and better to feed her with a gastronomy tube and she immediately doubled her weight. Her motor skills are a key problem so she particularly benefits from physiotherapy. A new development in the last two years is that she has learnt to roll onto her stomach.

Helen loves getting out and about and meeting people so she likes to be taken on walks in Ivybridge and the local community. She loves sailing and swimming as well as listening to live music and watching musical theatre. She also likes watching rugby and does not like to be interrupted in the middle of a match!