Walk for Thomas 2012

Thomas, aged five, lives in Mill Lane, Lambourn, with his parents Paul and Helen McConaghy, who describe him as a “typical happy, boisterous, determined and sometimes mischievous little boy.”
However, he suffers from cerebral palsy which, in his case, means that his joints are particularly elastic, leading to him suffer poor balance and muscle control.
His parents gradually became aware something was amiss when he was still not sitting unsupported by nine months old.
He finally started bearing weight on his legs at around 14 months and walking with support at 18 months.
Last year family and friends organised a 24-mile sponsored walk from Lambourn to the Footsteps centre at South Warborough, where Thomas would be taught to walk.
Footsteps is dedicated to providing an expert and specialised programme of therapy for young people like Thomas, who suffer from neuro-motor disorders.
Footsteps receives no state funding and relies upon charitable donations and contributions from the parents and supporters of the young people receiving treatment.
Mrs McConaghy said: “In total last year we raised £10,000 which is paying for Thomas to attend Footsteps three times this year; he has just recently finished a three-week course of treatment.
“We’ve also now started taking him over once a week to a Footsteps centre in Dorchester, to receive therapy from a oro-facial neuromotor therapist to strengthen and relax the muscles in his face, to help him produce clearer sounds and have better control of his tongue and mouth.”
She added: “We’re already seeing big improvements with his speech and the amount of words he is able to clearly say has greatly increased. Physically he now has more strength and control of his legs and co-ordination and a lot more confidence in himself both physically and emotionally.
“The money also meant we were able to give the Footsteps Foundation enough money for another child to receive a three week session. Unfortunately there is no NHS funding for this treatment and it is left to individual families and charitable donations to find the finance required for suitable treatment.”
They are now planning the Thomas' Walk 2012 for Saturday, May 26 and are looking for walkers to join them.
This year the walk will again begin in Lambourn but will finish at the new Footsteps centre in Dorchester on Thames.
More information on the walk is available online at www.1-step-at-a-time.co.uk/thomaswalk
If you are interested in joining all or part of the walk, the McConaghies would like to hear from you via email at thomasonestepatatime@gmail.com or by telephone on
07810651481.