There are some everyday tasks a lot of us can easily take for granted. Keeping yourself washed and clean is one of those and one you have probably already done today without too much thought. Meet 13-year-old Holly, a bubbly, music-loving young teenager.
Holly was born missing a chromosome and her learning difficulties has meant she has always needed more help and thought with toileting, washing and bathing. But if Holly is to have any opportunity of a more independent life in the future, then she will need to take control of her own personal care needs.
The CiaO Foundation has recently supported Holly and her family in this personal challenge. CiaO helped to finance the conversion of an existing bathroom into a new “smart,” wet-room that includes touch controls Holly can easily operate and control, in a safe environment.
Reaching this personal goal will give Holly much more self-confidence and self-awareness, ensuring that as she gets older, she doesn’t remain reliant on support as this would restrict her development and quality of life.
Holly’s Dad, Paul, described the smart wet room as a “brilliant piece of kit” and that everything has been going really well since installation. It will be a long learning curve though, with slow but sure steps of progress. The family is working in parallel with Holly’s School, the Isobel Mair School in East Renfrewshire, to build a connected and continuous environment to advance Holly’s personal care learning.
Paul reported that he can already see a growing confidence as Holly moves that little bit closer to taking control over her own personal care, and he says a big “Thank you” to CiaO for “turning a vague notion into a concrete reality”
