Changing Lives Paves the Way to Happiness for Arryn
12 May 2008
A Stirling youngster living with a crippling muscle condition has been boosted by a donation from the Changing Lives Campaign.
Run in conjunction with McIntosh and the Daily Record, the campaign seeks out ventures, community projects and charities that make a difference to the every day lives of Scottish people.And Arryn Widd’s parents Yvonne and Dean now have the £400 they need to pave their back garden so the wheelchair-bound youngster can spend sunny days outside with his family.
Arryn suffers from Duchenne, one of 20 types of muscular dystrophy that, with very few rare exceptions, only affects boys.
Like all muscular dystrophies, it is caused by faults in genes that cause progressive muscle weakness because muscle cells break down and are gradually lost.
As a result, Arryn’s mobility will continue to degenerate with time.
However, it has been tough at times for the Widd’s to give Arryn the comfort he needs whilst living with the debilitating condition.
Dad Dean explained: “We knew our home would need to be adapted to suit Arryn’s needs as he could not manage up the stairs at night and the steroids he takes has made him to heavy to lift. The poor lad slept on the sofa for a few years before we built an extension.
“Now, however, Arryn has a bedroom to sleep in and into which he can invite his friends, which is an amazing feeling for something a lot of parents and children take for granted.
“The downside is that our mortgage is now just short of £900 per month which is basically Yvonne's, my wife, full time wage. So this leaves us to struggle by on my wage and, although we get by, there are no allowances for further required DIY.”
One of those DIY projects was to sort out the back garden, which was left in turmoil after the extension was completed.
Dean added: “This award from the campaign will help pay to have the back garden slabbed so Arryn can get outside in his wheelchair and enjoy a bit more quality of life again.
“It will enable us all as family to enjoy the garden, possibly even with a barbecue, and spend time with our son.
“The clock is always ticking towards the day he may not be with us, so any time we can share with him is priceless, which is why we can’t thank the campaign enough.”
Sales Director of McIntosh Ian Clarke commented: "As makers of traditional Scottish food and as a thriving Scottish business we know all about the ambitious and tenacious nature of the Scots. That’s why we do everything we can to harness the support of local Scottish communities to make lives a little better for a lot of people.
“Arryn is a brave lad with a devoted family behind him and we were delighted to be able to help them out in some small way. We hope the cash will help sort out the garden and allow the Widd’s to enjoy many happy family summers together.”
