Boy gains new freedom through handicapped-accessible home

Six-year-old Charlie Mcmaster from Pymore near Bridport was born prematurely at 25 weeks, weighing 615 grams and spent the first eight months of his life in hospital.

Since birth, Charlie has been faced with a number of life-changing diagnoses including quadriplegia, cerebral palsy, epilepsy, a brain haemorrhage, kidney failure, renal failure, heart surgery and additional problems with his vision.

Because of his illness, the boy has difficulty moving around the house, but thanks to donations from local businesses, charities, his family and a grant from the city council, he has gained a new-found freedom.

He now has a bedroom downstairs with an attached wet room, which he can access more easily with the help of his walking aids.

Charlie with his mom and dad (Image: Steph Mcmaster)

Charlie's mother, Steph Mcmaster, said: “It has made life so much easier for Charlie and us, he is much more independent around the house.

“We are very grateful and myself and Charlie’s dad Stefan would like to thank Darren Poole Builders for their hard work on the build, Phoenix Electrical Services for installing all the electrics, GW Electrics for donating all the electrical fittings and Bridport Ladies Circle for donating the flooring for Charlie’s bedroom and tiles for the wet room.

“Thank you also to all the lovely people who donated through the Go Fund Me page that Charlie's Aunt Jo Pitcher set up without our knowledge. A huge thank you to all our family and friends who helped with the adjustments.”

Steph added: “When he was in Southampton hospital he had a brain haemorrhage and they said at some point it could cause some sort of disability but at that point you don't really know and you just get through it day by day.

“He couldn't crawl, couldn't stand, couldn't do a lot of those things, and he was diagnosed with quadriplegia, or cerebral palsy.”

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Charlie Mcmaster after his birth (left) and Charlie earlier this year (right) (Image: Steph Mcmaster)

Earlier this year, Bridport Roundtable and Mencap donated a total of £1,690 to the family towards a new specialised tricycle for the six-year-old.

His mom explained that he rides it “super fast” and that he “wants to go out on his own. He really enjoys it. He's happy, cheeky and a fighter.”

Due to his disability, Charlie requires numerous special aids for his daily life, including a wheelchair and special seating.