Eliese Howells, 9 years old

I’m Eliese’s Grandmother and I’m writing this testimonial on her behalf. Eliese first attended the Ledbrook Clinic when she was 8 years old.

We came to the Ledbrook Clinic because we were finding that the NHS appointments were too infrequent and not suitable as she is growing very fast. She was unhappy that she could only have one pair of trainers, in a limited style and colour, and by the time they came to the hospital, she had gown into the next size of shoe, the had to wait again for the right size. She was also not fitted with the correct adaptations on her footwear and her gait remained uncorrected.

Eliese was born with cerebral palsy, mainly right side hemiplegia. She has shortening of the leg, and her foot rolls inwards and drops. She swings her leg from her hip and had curvature of the lower spine, walked on her toes and was leaning to the left when she walked.

She first saw John Young, the Orthotist, at the Ledbrook Clinic  in May 2012. John gave Eliese a thorough examination and recommended and Ankle Foot Orthosis for each leg, and she chose 5 different styles of shoes for her various activities, school, parties, walking, training shoes and summer sandals.

All the shoes had the correct raise some were made to accommodate the AFO’s. Eliese has been thrilled with the shoes, especially the wide choice of colours and styles she could choose from. The results of having the correct footwear with the appropriate raise are that Eliese now doesn’t swing her leg out from the hip, she walks upright with much better control. The physiotherapist has noticed a marked improvement in her legs, ankles and feet, and she has improved balance.

Eliese has also been fitted with an FES at the Clinic and is the youngest patient in the UK to be fitted with one. She wears this when she hasn’t got her Ankle Foot Orthoses on. This equipment is brilliant as it helps to lift her foot as she walks, and gives her more freedom than the Ankle Foot Orthoses. It also helps to stimulate her muscles and exercise them.

Eliese loves going to see John at the clinic. The surroundings are relaxed and child friendly and the staff  make you very welcome. John is marvellous with Eliese and they have a lot of fun in the appointments. The Clinic is contemporary and clean. Eliese plays with their Labrador, Merlot, on each visit, takes him for a walk, and she also goes to see John’s chickens and always comes away with an egg for her breakfast.

As a family, we feel we are now giving Eliese the best possible treatment which will pay dividends in her later life.

I would highly recommend the Ledbrook Clinic for its high levels of service, prompt attention and appointments, friendliness, and the high levels of experience which John has in seeing children.

Thanks,

Lesley