Ladybird aids Maisie-Cate's recovery
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A BRAVE tot who suffered a stroke before birth is making a remarkable recovery thanks to the support she received from a Moray special needs group.
Maisie-Cate Kerr was diagnosed with a rare condition at birth which left her with a cyst in her brain and a permanent weakness down the entire right side of her body.
Her parents, Tracey and Rob, were told by doctors that their little girl would take many years before she was able to walk and talk like other children her age.
But after enrolling Maisie-Cate at the Ladybird Developmental Playgroup in Lossiemouth, which provides one-to-one care for pre-school youngsters with additional needs, the couple have been overwhelmed by the progress their child has made.
Now their daughter is three-and-a-half years old and doing well, and Tracey and Rob want to give something back to the Ladybird group, which costs £60,000 a year to run and is only partly subsidised.
So the couple are doing an 18-mile charity walk on the Speyside Way to raise much-needed funds, and are appealing for support from the Moray public.
Rob said: “Maisie-Cate has begun to walk, talk and act more like child of her age should, getting into trouble, causing mayhem and ruling the roost.
“A lot of this has to be attributed to the care, attention and love she received from the staff and associates of Ladybird.
“It’s quite amazing to see her now, when we were told it was going to take a long time to see her at this stage.”
Maisie-Cate’s mum, Tracey, believes the facility is vital to Moray and deserves more financial support to ensure its survival.
So along with her husband, family, friends and Ladybird staff, she will walk from Spey Bay to Craigellachie on Saturday, August 27, along stretches of the Speyside Way, with the hope of raising a bundle of cash along the way.
“It is hoped that by doing so, I can raise funds through sponsorship to help other children like Maisie-Cate who need the help, care and love given by the group,” she said.
Sponsorship forms have been provided to those taking part, and the walkers have begun their own Facebook page (Spey Bay – Craigellachie Challenge) for anyone who wishes to support or join them.
Donations can also be made via the couple’s e-mail address: Speysidewalk@aol.com
