2 minute read
DYLAN SCORES A WINNER
There’s not much teenager Dylan doesn’t know about football. As an Everton season ticket holder he loves nothing more than going to watch his beloved Blues.
Dylan’s always been taken to home matches by his dad. Now, at 16, he wants to be in the stands with his friends and older brother Joss.
But getting to the ground can be tricky. Dylan’s manual wheelchair can’t easily be manoeuvred along uneven ground, and on dark winter nights he struggles to be seen in the crowds. While there are adaptations on the market, including lights, power and a controller, they don’t come as standard.
Although Dylan has limited movement and no speech following problems at birth, his family say he has a huge personality and is smitten with all things football related.
Dad Mark says his son just wants to be independent. “He’s just a normal lad and spends all his free time learning about anything to do with football! He’s been in and out of hospital having operations, so being able to go to the match is a big thing for him. I’ve always gone with him, but now he’s older he wants to go with Joss and his friends.
However the family’s plan to adapt Dylan’s wheelchair proved too costly. “We knew that we could get adaptations but having them retrofitted to his old chair would cost well over £1000,” said Mark.
Going to the match is a big thing for him.
Mersey Care’s Wheelchair service staff also knew what was needed, but they couldn’t make a clinical case for funding, so they came up with an idea. A new personal wheelchair budget scheme was used to by a powered chair and the team sought funding from local charity Mersey Cats to buy the extras.
Now when he goes to Goodison Park, Dylan travels in a new electrically powered indoor and outdoor wheelchair complete with lights and attendant controls.
Mark says it’s made a massive difference. “It’s fantastic. He races ahead now because he feels safe and in control. He’s part of the crowd.”
Wheelchair therapist Rosemary Tully said: We’re delighted to have supported the family and helped Dylan to pursue his passion. It’s great to see how much difference it’s made to him.”
