Philanthropist pledges Foundation will change lives for ‘centuries to come’
Philanthropist Steve Morgan has pledged that the charitable Foundation that bears his name will continue…
Nine-year-old Meghan has a rare condition called cardiofaciocutaneous syndrome and regularly suffers from seizures.
The condition causes vision impairment, uncontrolled epilepsy and a list of other issues relating to digestion.
Although she can’t communicate in any way she can understand gestures.
Meghan attends Springfield Special Needs School in Crewe but because of Covid-19 she and her family have been shielding at their home in Nantwich, Cheshire, since March 2020.
Although the youngster can sit independently and crawl she needs full support from specialist equipment. Meghan is a wheelchair user and has a standing frame and a correctional device to stretch her knees.
Meghan had been given a pacer walking frame by the NHS but had outgrown it and there wasn’t a budget for a new specialist £3,000 Jiraffe walking pacer.
When the youngster used the Jiraffe pacer and adjustable saddle seat for a trial period it allowed her to move more independently, which she’d been unable to do during lockdown.
Meghan’s parents Amanda and Michael Kewley applied to the Steve Morgan Foundation and were awarded an Enable Grant so they could get their daughter her very own Jiraffe walker.
Proud dad Michael said it was emotional experience seeing his daughter take her first steps with the walker.
He said: “Neighbours have been coming up to us and saying how smiley and happy Meghan is. Seeing Meghan make other people happy makes us happy.
“Having been confined to the house because of Covid-19 it’s so lovely to see her out and about.
“We can’t thank the Steve Morgan Foundation enough. They have given Meghan the gift of walking.”
Delighted mum Amanda said: “Because she can’t speak, routine is very important to Meghan. If I got her leg supports and coat out she would know she’s going on her walker and she gets so excited.
“When the lockdown is over a couple of local children have invited her to go to the park at the bottom of the road and we will be with her of course. It’s something that Meghan has never done. She has become so nosey! She watches everything that is going on. Even the regular delivery drivers and postman acknowledge her and wave to her.
“We could never have afforded the £3,000 ourselves but it’s priceless to Meghan. We’re so grateful to the Steve Morgan Foundation. Words can’t sum up how we feel.”
Steve Morgan said: “When we set up the Steve Morgan Foundation in 2001 it was to change the lives of people like Meghan. Last year we gave away £27m to support charities impacted by Covid but we know the £3,000 grant awarded to Meghan has changed her life too. It’s very humbling to know.”
