Little Peterborough boy who falls 100 times a day gets new wheelchair

A four-year-old who falls over up to 100 times a day is starting school in an electric wheelchair, thanks to his determined mum.
Arlie and Kobi ready for school.Arlie and Kobi ready for school.
Arlie and Kobi ready for school.

Dawne Chaplin, Werrington fundraised for her son throughout the year to give her little boy much-needed independence.

Diagnosed with hydrocephalus at birth, Arlie Chaplin developed cerebral palsy as a result, meaning he struggles severely with his mobility, which results in him falling up to 100 times a day.

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Dawne was originally told he ‘would never be able to walk’. Though he defied the odds, the brave youngster can only walk in short bursts and it causes him severe pain. Brother Kobi doesn’t suffer with any health conditions.

Dawne with Arlie and Kobi.Dawne with Arlie and Kobi.
Dawne with Arlie and Kobi.

Twin Arlie who always wanted to be ‘just like his brother’ uses splints or a walking frame around the garden, causing him to fatigue easily. Having been denied an electric wheelchair on the NHS, Dawne started the fundraiser.

Aiming for £4,500, with the help from a campaign in the Peterborough Telegraph, Dawne was able to raise the funds needed to give Arlie his new wheels. As the boys are set to start school, Dawne says the pair are more than ready.

Dawne said: “I just want to say a huge thank you for everyone’s generosity - to those who donated and those who shared the page. It’s been an absolute godsend. We got the wheelchair about a month ago so we have had a little time to use it over the holidays.”

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Allowing the family to be ‘just like any other family’, now they can go out together with ease, something Dawne could have only dreamt of before.

She said: “The first time we got it, we were out everyday at the park.

“Arlie kept asking if we could go back to park for another picnic.

“When he got in it the first day, it’s like he has always had one.

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“I thought he would need a lot of training but he knows just how to do it. It’s made a difference, you wouldn’t believe. We can get out now and get some fresh air and he has got a rain cover as well. I’ve now got my hands free to watch them both or to carry shopping.”

Having chosen a different lightweight model to the chair they originally wanted - the new model will allow the chair to ‘grow with Arlie’ and so will last him years longer. With money left over, Dawne listed Shine charity as the beneficiary.