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Oliver's story

Oliver , aged 8,  has West Syndrome and has been using MOVE for four years. Before starting on the MOVE Programme, Oliver spent all day either lying on the floor or strapped into a chair.  He was completely unaware of his own body, had no muscle tone, and spent most of his time asleep.

However, due to the support of his MOVE team, within 6 months of being on the Programme, Oliver began to become more alive.  Alison Harland, his teacher says “Because of MOVE Oliver has developed hugely; his cognitive and communication skills are greater as is his self-esteem and awareness of the world around him and his own presence in it.  He rarely sleeps during the day now and his health has improved as his muscle tone has improved.  Equally, he can now choose where he wants to go, in fact at our recent Ofsted inspection the inspector was very impressed with Oliver’s problem solving skills, something that Oliver did not posses before the MOVE Programme.”

Oliver uses a gait trainer to walk around for most of the day (pictured left), he can stand at tables to join in with various activities and he can join in with his friends in their playground games. Oliver now has the freedom to makes choices about where and when he wants to go.

MOVE has also meant that Oliver has progressed from two to one handed exploration of objects, transferring across his mid-line and holding up objects to visually explore them. Oliver can finger feed different types of snacks and foods and with adult help, spoon feed himself. 

Alison continues “Although Oliver still has seizures due to his condition, MOVE has given him the chance to more actively participate in the world around him, and first and foremost he is a happier child.”

Oliver’s home life has also changed, his three year old sister, Fleur, is now much more aware of Oliver and for the first time the siblings are interacting. His mum Julie has noticed that Oliver is now able to help her to get him ready in the morning, and says,  “taking part in the MOVE Programme has meant a great deal, especially to us and Oliver as well as the rest of our family, friends and teachers. I never thought I would see such a great improvement. He has certainly done himself and us proud."