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Charity helps Buckley family to buy wheelchair powerpack

Charity helps Buckley family to buy wheelchair powerpack

Leader Live4 days ago
Seventeen-year-old Iwan Hughes, from Buckley, lives with Dravet Syndrome, a rare neurological condition that causes frequent and prolonged seizures.
He also experiences mobility challenges, intellectual disability, autism, ADHD, and difficulties with speech, eating, and sleep.
As a result, Iwan is unable to walk unaided after a seizure and relies on a wheelchair.
The powerpack is attached to Iwan's wheelchair (Image: Supplied)
Thanks to a powerpack device funded by Chester-based charity Children Today Charitable Trust, his family say life has become easier and more mobile.
Heather Hughes, Iwan's mother, said: "Iwan can have several seizures a week, which leave him absolutely exhausted afterwards.
"He's not able to walk at all after having one, so his wheelchair is essential.
"Iwan has a new NHS wheelchair, which is brilliant, but it's so heavy.
"Pushing it uphill or over rough ground was almost impossible.
"Since getting the powerpack, we can actually enjoy those visits again without the stress or strain.
"It really has transformed what we can do as a family."
The powerpack is a small motorised unit that attaches to a manual wheelchair and can be activated via a push-button control.
It helps users and carers navigate inclines and rough terrain without the need for a fully electric wheelchair.
The family are now looking forward to trips they once found challenging.
Iwan's family are now able to take him on trips they once found challenging (Image: Supplied)
Ms Hughes said: "We're also heading to a festival in Dorset later this year, and we have an annual trip to Center Parcs to meet up with other families affected by Dravet Syndrome.
"Before, we weren't sure how we'd manage, but now we have the powerpack, we can go with confidence.
"We're so grateful to Children Today.
"It might seem like a small piece of equipment, but it's made a massive difference to our lives."
The charity says Iwan's story is a reminder of the impact that small pieces of equipment can have.
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Emma Prescott, charity director at Children Today, said: "Stories like Iwan's are exactly why we do what we do.
"These pieces of equipment are genuinely life-changing, not just for the young person, but for the whole family.
"We're proud to have played a part in helping Iwan reclaim his independence and enjoy more of the things he loves."
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We'll use AI to spot more prostate cancer, says Science Secretary
We'll use AI to spot more prostate cancer, says Science Secretary

Telegraph

time11 minutes ago

  • Telegraph

We'll use AI to spot more prostate cancer, says Science Secretary

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Unclench your jaw: Why everyone is grinding their teeth right now — including you
Unclench your jaw: Why everyone is grinding their teeth right now — including you

Metro

time2 hours ago

  • Metro

Unclench your jaw: Why everyone is grinding their teeth right now — including you

'You've worn your molars right down,' said my dentist, matter-of-factly, as she snapped the latex gloves from her hands. 'I can practically hear your jaw clicking.' I did my best not to feel offended. 'Sorry,' I mumbled, rubbing my aching massester muscles. I'm one of the 8 to 10% of the UK population that grinds their teeth in some way — and I'm betting, you are too. I'm not entirely sure when it started, but these days, I'm all-too-aware that I do it pretty much every night. I've woken myself up one-too-many times by accidentally biting down on my tongue (yes, it really hurts) and when my alarm goes off, I open my eyes with an aching jaw. The habit seeps into my waking hours too. I'll suddenly become aware that my jaw is clenched, as though that's its default position. I once heard (e.g. watched a TikTok video) that the three-finger test is a quick way to asses your jaw mobility. If you can fit three stacked fingers between your upper and lower reeth, you're in the normal range. I can only just about do it. But bruxism, the umbrella term for teeth-grinding or jaw clenching, does more than just make your jaw ache. In fact, it can cause a whole host of issues, from dental problems and headaches, to pain in the face, neck or shoulders, and TMJ disorders. To put it mildly, teeth grinding is no picnic — and it's even more annoying when you consider that you're most likely doing it subconciously. And while the current estimates would suggest that around 6.7 million Brits deal with condition, it seems to be on the rise. Post-pandemic, a USA-based 2021 survey among dentists found that 70% reported an increase in patients grinding and clenching their teeth. More recently, the hashtag #teethgrinding on TikTok has a staggering 262.9 million views, while #unclencyourjaw has 37.7 million. You can even buy tshirts and artwork on Etsy emblazoned with the phrase 'unclench your jaw'. And dentist Dr Sahil Patel, of London's Marylebone Smile Clinic, tells Metro that he's seeing an increasing number of patients displaying signs of bruxism. 'Well developed jaw muscles show as a squarer facial appearance or stronger jawline,' he explains. 'And, on the teeth themselves, bruxism causes accelerated tooth wear and breakage, making teeth look shorter, squarer and yellower. Tooth sensitivity and gum recession can also be a sign.' Why have we become a nation unable to relax our faces? While it's not always clear why people do it, stress and anxiety is a well-observed cause. 'Our patients are absoloutely more stressed than ever,' Dr Sahil says. 'They may not always disclose it to us, but we can sense when someone is stressed. We're seeing it more with younger people.' Mental Health UK's annual Burnout Report, released in January 2025, found that one in three adults either 'always or often' experience high or extreme levels of pressure or stress, while nine in 10 say they've experienced it at some point over the last year. Mind also found that women are more likely than men to experience common mental health problems (20.7% of women compared to 13.2% of men affected), with young women aged 16 to 24 at the highest risk. It's worth nothing that women are also more likely to experience bruxism, particularly when they're awake. Experts are pretty much in agreement that society is increasinly stressful. Chartered psychologist, Dr Manpreet Dhuffar-Pottiwal says we live an era of 'uncertainty and instability'. She tells Metro: 'Political unrest, economic fluctuations, and environmental crises result in an unpredictability which leaves people feeling out of control regarding their futures.' Our 'always-online' culture, particularly experienced by younger generations also doesn't help, as Dr Manpreet says we face 'technological overload.' 'Social media platforms promote curated representations of life, leading us to measure their worth against others. Additionally, urbanisation has contributed to a disconnection from nature. People confined to busy city lives miss out on the calming effects of the natural world.' Workplace pressures have changed too. 'The rise of remote work and gig economies has introduced ambiguity about job security and increased workloads,' says Dr Manpreet. 'Many young employees, striving for stability in uncertain times, experience burnout and chronic stress as they juggle multiple responsibilities. 'Rigid schedules and the lack of work-life balance lead many to neglect self-care practices.' And finally, as ever, the global pandemic plays a part. Dr Manpreet says: 'It heightened health-related anxieties, with individuals increasingly focused on personal safety. 'This ongoing concern can create a cycle of stress that affects various facets of life. 'It's no surprise that there's a growing prevalence of conditions like bruxism.' What are the options for treating jaw clenching? So, aside from taking an indefinite holiday to escape the stressors of daily life, what can we do to relieve all this tension? According to Dr Sahil, your dentist can help. 'We can't manage your stress, but we can do a few things to manage the symptoms,' he says. 'Night guards can cushion the contact between the teeth during the night, or reainers, which are thinner, are designed to keep the teeth in their position and protect from night grinding. 'They come in many different forms and materials, but the ballpark cost for these is between £250 and £500.' Alternatively, nurse prescriber and aesthetic trainer, Natalja Andrejeva, says that Botox is an 'emerging go-to solution' for teeth-grinding. 'Over the past few years, I've seen a noticeable rise in clicents seeking relief from bruxism using Botox, especially post-pandemic,' she tells Metro. 'Botox is injected into the masseter muscles to relax them. This reduces the intensity of clenching and grinding without affecting your ability to chew or speak.' The result? 'Less jaw tension, fewer headaches, and better sleep and quality of life. You'll also get a slightly slimmer jawline,' adds Natalja, founder of Face Code Aesthetic, where she offers the treatment, starting at £290. 'Typically, treatment would be required every three to six months, depending on muscle strength and individual response. 'But over time, some clients find they can space out treatments more as the habit and symptoms lessen.' Of course, the ultimate — and almost impossible solution — is to live a stress-free life. But until then, be safe in the knowledge that you're far from the only one — and don't forget to unclench your jaw. Do you have a story to share?

I helped my friend through cancer - then mine came back
I helped my friend through cancer - then mine came back

Metro

time3 hours ago

  • Metro

I helped my friend through cancer - then mine came back

My appointment was late. I remember sitting in the waiting area thinking: If it's cancer, surely they wouldn't leave me hanging? Finally in the room, I expected the doctor to check my name, date of birth – but he didn't do that. Beside him were a couple of nurses, which seemed a bit overkill for my results to be nothing. That's when the doctor told me it was breast cancer. I had found a lump in my breast, close to my armpit, at the start of October half term in 2017. By December I had been scheduled for a lumpectomy. Subsequent scans and a biopsy showed the cancer hadn't spread to my lymph nodes; it was followed up with six rounds of chemotherapy, one every three weeks. I felt progressively worse as time went on. I lost my hair – it would just fall out of my head as I was walking down the hallway. I let the kids shave my head which, in the circumstances, was quite a nice way of doing it. My daughter Amelia, who was then six, plaited a piece, which she cut off and kept. I started being sick after the second session, and then the nausea started before I even got to the hospital because I knew what was coming. By session six, I ended up being admitted because I was vomiting non-stop. The next stage was radiotherapy, which I finished on August 10, 2018. It marked the end of my active treatment, and I was told I was clear of disease. The first symptom of breast cancer that most women notice is a lump or an area of thickened tissue in their breast. You should see a GP if you notice any of the following: a new lump or area of thickened tissue in either breast that was not there before a change in the size or shape of one or both breasts a discharge of fluid from either of your nipples a lump or swelling in either of your armpits a change in the look or feel of your skin, such as puckering or dimpling, a rash or redness a rash (like eczema), crusting, scaly or itchy skin or redness on or around your nipple a change in the appearance of your nipple, such as becoming sunken into your breast Via NHS. Afterwards, I thought: 'Right, time to move on; to start living our best lives'. I have a group of five school-mum friends, Debbie, Natalie, Sam and Steph and we would get together, eat pizza, drink Prosecco and occasionally plan some fundraising events for breast cancer charities – starting with a 1,000 mile bike ride in September 2018. We raised about £2,500 and it was really good for me to have something positive to focus on – I'm not very good at being still. Buoyed by the cycle, we took on muddy runs – not that all of us were thrilled about it. Some of my friends really like being clean and having their nails done, but they couldn't say no to the girl who had cancer. Reaching the five year mark after diagnosis really boosted my confidence; research suggests that five years clear of disease is a big step. Taking the cancer drug Tamoxifen was a daily reminder of what I'd been through but reaching that milestone was a bit of a sigh of relief. It was around this time I noticed Debbie was a little quiet; not her normal, chatty self. We had known each other for almost a decade, since our older two kids, now both 12, were in infant school, and our younger kids, Matthew and Libby, are both eight and thick as thieves. I was about to text her but before I could, my phone pinged with a message from her, telling she had found a lump. I was floored. Obviously, it took me back to getting my diagnosis but you just don't want anyone you know to have to go through cancer. I knew how it would impact her and her children: they were older than mine when I found out, and whereas I didn't even tell my then two-year-old son, her kids would understand everything. Debbie had a lump in her neck as well as her breast and the immediate worry was that it had already spread to other organs. Waiting for her results was agony. I didn't want to be that person pestering – but I've never checked my phone quite so much as I did that day. Mercifully, Debbie's cancer hadn't spread but she was diagnosed with Stage 3 breast cancer. Once Debbie got a treatment plan, I wanted to support her. Childcare was at the top of the list. There were some days, in the first week after each chemo session, that were really hard to drag myself to school. It was easy for me to collect Libby when I got Matthew and bring her back to ours for tea. When she started chemo, we worked out which days she tended to feel worse, and I took Libby to school, too. Discussing the importance of being breast aware, Addie Mitchell, clinical nurse specialist at Breast Cancer Now, wants women to know there is no right or wrong way to check your breasts. 'It's about looking and feeling regularly so any changes can be spotted quickly,' she said. 'The sooner breast cancer is diagnosed, the more effective treatment may be. 'Whatever your age, being aware of all the signs and symptoms of breast cancer is crucial – it's not just a lump to look out for. Other changes could be a nipple becoming inverted or a change in texture of the skin. 'While most symptoms won't mean breast cancer, if you notice anything unusual for you get it checked out by your GP. 'Anyone with questions can call Breast Cancer Now's nurses free on 0808 800 6000 or visit I still do that now every Friday – it's become our little ritual – because despite having completed treatment, Debbie has been badly impacted by the side effects. People often think that once you've finished chemo, you're done and out the other side. But I found the second lump in my armpit in the May half term last year (half terms aren't good for me!) and scans revealed that not only had my cancer returned, it had spread. It was in my lungs. I found out a few hours before the school fete. Debbie was in the midst of treatment, so Libby was coming with us. I remember walking around all these stalls, paying money for anything and everything but thinking, 'Oh, God…'. I spent a fortune on the Teddy Tombola for Libby – she must have gone home with about 20 of them – knowing that Debbie's husband, Andy, couldn't argue because I had cancer, again. Sarah and Debbie are fundraising for Breast Cancer Now and the Cavell Unit at Dewsbury Hospital. You can donate here I'm now having weekly chemo sessions. I have seen some reduction in size but treatment now is just to try and keep the cancer stable. The other week at chemo someone asked how many weeks I had left. I told her that my treatment is ongoing and she replied, 'But, it can't just go on forever?' I said 'No, you're right, it can't,' and she started crying on me. The plan is just to keep going. I like to think I lived my life to the fullest before cancer, but now, when my son Matthew climbs into bed and asks to read a bit more of his book I say yes. I don't want to miss out on stuff. In some respects, because I know what lies ahead, I get the chance to live my best life. Some people will never get that. This world can be awful but I think we can all just do our own little bit to make it a little bit better. Last year, Debbie and I hosted an afternoon tea to raise money for Breast Cancer Now; we raised £12,000. We've just done another one and increased our total to £10,000. Half is going to Breast Cancer Now and the other half to the Cavell Unit at Dewsbury Hospital, where Debbie and I both had treatment. More Trending Debbie checks in with me every Monday to ask how I'm doing. But it's hard for her. My secondary diagnosis is a reminder about the risk of reoccurrence. She is having scans every year and already walking on eggshells – having the stage 4 girl up the road can't be helpful. But it's helped massively to be in each other's lives. I'm glad I could be there to support her, and likewise. We are still there for each other. View More » As told to Rosy Edwards Do you have a story you'd like to share? Get in touch by emailing Share your views in the comments below. MORE: My drink was spiked – then I got a life-changing diagnosis MORE: I had high hopes for adult summer camp – then I went MORE: I escaped my ex – now our 8-year-old son is the one being abused Your free newsletter guide to the best London has on offer, from drinks deals to restaurant reviews.

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