A mum is urging the public to ‘stick their tongue out’ to help buy a forever home for her son who has cerebral palsy.
Sal Roberts, from Londonderry, between Northallerton and Bedale. has launched a crowdfunding appeal to buy a bungalow that is suitable for son Scott’s needs.
Scott, 8, had to learn how to stick his tongue out due to the condition.
And Sal is asking for the public to show their support by also sticking their tongues out and making a small donation towards the appeal.
She said: “Most times children get told not to stick their tongues out as it’s rude.
“But I spent the first five years of my son’s life trying to get him to do it, and I was so overjoyed when he achieved it.”
Scott has spastic quadraplegia, a type of cerebral palsy, which means the messages from his brain to the muscles in almost every part of his body don’t always contain the right information.
Sal added: “It makes everything in his life very hard work.
“However, he’s doing a brilliant job against these odds. He can now stick his tongue out at will and this means he has gained control of many muscles in and around his mouth.
“Despite his progress, I know that Scott will have to fight very hard for a decent future – life with his disability is going to be a constant challenge in a world that’s not generally very accommodating.”
Sal said she was determined to do everything to take away the obstacles.
“Two years ago we managed to find a bungalow to rent that has turned out to be perfect after special adaptation for Scott’s need.
“It has the space he needs to get around and it keeps all his mobility equipment accessible. Sadly it is to be sold in the near future so we are now here on borrowed time.
“My only hope is that I can raise enough money to buy the bungalow for Scott’s future. I don’t imagine this will be easy for a moment. There is no miracle treatment or operation for Scott’s condition – if there was I’d be asking for help to fund it. Instead I’m aiming to give him the security and space to live and make progress with his condition.
“Our home can give him that if you can help us.”
How people can help:
Sal says Scott loves to see people pulling tongues so has launched the ‘Stick it Out for Scott’ appeal.
Here’s how it works:
1) Take a selfie of you sticking out your tongue – the funnier the better
2) Share your photo on your Facebook profile and Scott’s page then nominate 5 friends to do the same
3) Donate £2 (or more) via Just Giving or Paypal
For more details on the appeal and how to donate click here.
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