The family of a paralysed 15-year-old boy from Ripon have launched a new fundraising campaign to improve his quality of life.
Alan Nowicki had an accident at home in December last year when he fell onto his head while exercising, leaving him paralysed from the waist down.
His mum, Kamila Nowicka, was able to raise just under £30,000 through a GoFundMe campaign, allowing Alan to visit a residential rehabilitation facility in Poland.
The money also allowed Kamila to buy all the physio equipment Alan requires, as well as a wheelchair.
But his family have now launched a new urgent appeal as they look at potentially life-changing stem cell therapy.
Kamila said:
“We have searched long and wide for any other possible therapies to try and help Alan get the best outcome possible and we have found a place that offers stem cell therapy combined with the epidural stimulation.
“It all sounds crazy and scary but if we will not give it a try we will regret it for the rest of our lives.”
Both procedures aim to improve Alan’s muscle tone, voluntary movement and allow him to regain sensation in the lower parts of his body.
They will also improve bladder and bowel functions and allow Alan to stand unaided, or at least to make a few steps.
Following the procedure, Alan will undergo an intensive 30-day rehabilitation at the clinic that involves 4-5 hours of daily therapy, including the epidural stimulator mapping sessions.
Kamila added:
“It feels so unreal and so depressing, knowing that our son could potentially get a bit better but we have no funds to give him this chance. So here we are again, begging you for your help.
“We are forever grateful for all the donations received so far, kind messages, shares. Please, if you can, help us again.”
The fundraising campaign has set a target of £45,000, with at least another £35,000 needed to secure the date for Alan’s surgery.
This has been initially agreed for 9th July - but to secure this date, the full amount must be paid by 10th June.
Kamila said:
“Since January, we have raised near enough £30,000 which allowed Alan to take part in intensive neuro-rehabilitation after the accident, to buy all the physio equipment for home use so we can continue his daily rehab at home and finally to buy his wheelchair.
“As it’s stands at present, we have £15,000 left from the previous fundraising, we have secured a £40,000 loan and we are thinking of selling our car to get another £10,000, although this is not an ideal option as we need our car to transport Alan and for his dad to commute to work outside of Ripon.”
To support Kamila and Alan’s fundraising campaign, donate via the GoFundMe page here.
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