Shaheen: As the mother of an 11-year-old boy with an upper limb difference, I have found incredible support, understanding, and connection in REACH.
Thanks to the REACH organisation, our family, especially my son, have benefited from educational resources, confidence-building opportunities, and continuous support. The kind and supportive environment at REACH has not only made us feel like part of a community but also provided us with the chance to meet other parents and children who are in similar situations.
Taking on the North London Branch Coordinator role in this volunteering opportunity felt like the perfect moment to return and show gratitude for the support we have received over the past few years. REACH is a fantastic place for members to connect and learn, and I hope to provide support where possible and help make a meaningful impact
Hodo Adan: I first heard about Reach during my first appointment with the Peads Plastic team at Chelsea & Westminster when my son was 6 months. My career for the last decade has been in early years and working with families in need as well as children with special needs. I loved the element of helping people as I always knew that I could easily have been one of those families needing support/advice/guidance one day. That day came when I went for my first scan at 12 weeks. However, there was no support. No advice. No guidance. And what should have been a relaxing, enjoyable pregnancy experience, quickly turned into 30 weeks of anxiety and not knowing what was ahead of me.
During my pregnancy, I experienced the challenges of navigating uncertainty and searching for the right emotional and practical support. This lived experience has inspired me to work with Reach so that other families can receive the understanding, guidance and reassurance that I wished I had at that time.
With the confidence I have gained from the support I have received, my son is now equipped to take on the world and won’t let anything stand in his way. And I would love to be able to do that for another family.