Charlotte and Caroline Fletcher

My Name is Charlotte Louise Fletcher, I gave Mummy and Daddy the fright of their lives by deciding to arrive 13 weeks early in October 2005, weighing just 1lb 15oz. Mummy and I spent our first three weeks together at Wolverhampton New Cross who we thought were fantastic the next four weeks were spent at Worcester Royal who again were great.

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After piling on a few pounds, 7 weeks in total on December 19^th 2005, weighing just 4lb 3oz I was allowed home such an exciting day for Mummy and Daddy and the best Christmas present in the world.

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I was a good girl for Mummy and Daddy it was when the Health Visitor came to visit at the 8 month check up (5 months corrected) that she thought that maybe I should be sitting unaided at this stage so she arranged for a physio to visit. That’s when Chris came to see us she was a lovely lady but I didn’t like how she pulled and pushed me so I used to scream and cry at her, which upset Mummy.

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After fortnightly physio visits and lots of practicing I sat up unaided for the first time in January 2007. I then seemed to get cold after cold and Mummy and Daddy seemed to be getting worried that my development was being held back as I just didn’t seem to do anything but sleep as I was so weak. Mummy arranged for me to see my consultant who treated me for infantile asthma. I went from strength to strength I started to eat well and also starting to enjoy seeing Chris who would play stretching games with me and show Mummy how to stretch my legs. April/May 2007 I learned to roll and crawl, there was no stopping me now.

It was at 16months (13 months corrected) that my consultant saw Mummy and Daddy they noticed that my legs would go stiff, I crossed them and that I stood on tip toes it was then that he diagnosed Mild Cp Spastic diplegia. Mummy and Daddy didn’t seem to understand what this was they were told that I would walk but it would be a bit later. Mummy went home and tried to take in and remember what the consultant had said she went on the internet the bliss website friends who she had spoken to for advice re being premature. A few people came back and explained what CP was. Mummy rang Auntie Maddy who at the time was training to be teaching assistant she said how strange we had a talk today at college about a place called Megan Baker House she explained everything to Mummy who suddenly started to look happy she was seeing a light at the end of the tunnel. There was someone out there that maybe able to help us. Auntie Maddy told her teacher about me who gave Auntie Maddy Megan Baker House Number and told her to tell Mummy to ring them. Mummy rang straight away she told me that Simon was really friendly and helpful we were told to complete an assessment form on-line.

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Just a few weeks later we were invited to visit Megan Baker House Mummy and Daddy thought it was such a lovely building and felt very welcome by all the staff I too had great fun showing them how bright I was. A few days later Mummy and I were told we could attend the Mother and Baby group I didn’t like this I was getting a lot of colds again and just felt so tired. Mummy and I went every week even if we only did an hour session.

October 2007 I was told I could attend a nursery group on my own, Mummy was very nervous at first I cried as it was all very strange on my own with no Mummy around. After a few weeks I really warmed to Rita and Mummy was happy as I stopped crying and seemed to be enjoying myself. I found my feet and love to move around the furniture.

January 2008 I am on my first block placement Mummy is so happy that I have settled in and haven’t cried unless I’m very tired. I’m having so much fun and have made lots of new friends. Mummy can’t believe how much talking I do now and just after one week I have taken my first steps unaided.

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Mummy and I love coming to Megan Baker House I get to have fun learning and Mummy gets to chat to all the friendly staff and the other Mummy’s and Daddy’s she tells me that she too has made new friends.

With all the support from Megan Baker House the future is no longer a scary place for me or Mummy and Daddy.