Jack gains some independence thanks to his Wizzybug

Jack’s mum, Enya, told us where they first heard about Wizzybug and how he became the first child in Northern Ireland to receive one.

“Jack is a 3 year old, strong willed little man. He is non verbal and non mobile, so this seemed like the perfect piece of equipment to help him gain some independence.

We first spotted the scheme on Instagram believe it or not, and contacted Designability who put us in touch with the Mae Murray Foundation in Larne, Northern Ireland. At this stage, no one else had received their Wizzybug in N.I., but we gave it a trial in their offices in September 2019 and he took to it like a duck to water.

Jack is a thrill seeker, and as soon as he realised the joystick allowed him to move independently, his cheeky grin lit up the whole room. Due to lockdown it was quite a while before we got back to collect our Wizzybug, and I think in that time he almost forgot the fun he could have, without the need for assistance. When we collected it, and took it home he couldn’t quite believe that it was actually at our house and that it was his to borrow.

So far Wizzybug has been fantastic in allowing him to explore the garden (although our garden pots tell a different story), go on walks with his cousins and not be confined to being stuck at the back in his buggy with us.

Although he is still learning how to steer and manoeuvre Wizzybug, he is making a great attempt at it and I know it will open lots of adventure up to us!

The happiness it has brought to Jack to date is a joy to watch and we can’t wait to see what other memories we will make with it!”