Matilda did not have the easiest start to life. After a possible viral infection in the womb, Matilda stopped breathing for a few minutes after birth. This led to her being diagnosed with Periventricular Leukomalacia (PVL) a condition characterised by the softening of white matter in the brain. The effects of PVL on the nerves responsible for motor control can cause Cerebral Palsy, which was the case for Matilda. This means that Matilda has development delay and increased tone in her muscles, leading to issues with mobility, particularly affecting her left side.
Matilda was brought to the Dame Vera Lynn Children’s Charity on the recommendation of a friend. At the age of 1 year and 7 months, Matilda was assessed by our team. She had only recently started to commando crawl and tolerate being on her front. When she started her physiotherapy sessions, Matilda struggled to use her left side, which affected her crawling, sitting and standing. However, she immediately started to grow in both confidence and ability.
“From the very beginning, the charity’s positive approach, focusing on what a child can do rather than what they can’t, has allowed Matilda to thrive in a supportive and encouraging environment.” – Matilda’s mum, Lizzy
During her time at the charity, Matilda has grown to love her sessions. There has been a huge increase in her confidence, she loves singing and playing, really relaxing into her physiotherapy. Despite her struggle to use her left side, Matilda has become motivated to grab things with her left hand, achieving something that is incredibly difficult for her. She is also now able to sit on a stool for a few minutes with supervision, and is improving her ability to take steps, using a walker or holding a hand.
Her physiotherapist Istvan believes that without early intervention Matilda would be really behind on her milestones and unable to reach her full potential. He has seen her develop greatly in her time with us and believes that her family really appreciate the work that we are doing for them.
All of the staff at DVLCC have been a fantastic source of support, not only for Matilda but for our whole family. Matilda has formed a very special bond with her therapist, Istvan, which has played a huge role in her progress and enjoyment of each session. We are incredibly grateful for the impact the charity and Istvan have had on Matilda’s journey.