A?HEART-FELT appeal has gone out for poorly Petersfield toddler Marlowe Parker who is about to come home after spending two years in hospital.
Her parents, Ally and Clara Parker, have set up a fundraising campaign as they prepare to welcome her back for her second birthday next month.
They need £4,500 to build a room on the side of her bedroom at Highfield Road so it can be fitted with vital physiotherapy and sensory equipment.
Through a ‘Team Marlowe’ Facebook page more than £2,500 has already been pledged for the facility which will allow her to have two to three hours of physiotherapy and sensory treatment each day.
Marlowe’s grandmother Julie Wells has been baking cakes to sell in Rams Walk shopping mall in Petersfield to boost the appeal.
Marlowe, who was born with Down syndrome and a heart defect on July 22, 2015, underwent open heart surgery aged just seven months old at Southampton General Hospital.
Due to complications following the operation she was on life support in intensive care for 128 days, has endured several other operations, including a tracheostomy to help her breathe, and requires round-the-clock ventilation and care.
A specialised pram fitted with a ventilator was bought for her last year after an appeal was issued via the Petersfield Post.
“Due to being so unwell and heavily sedated, she is very sensitive to outdoor light, noises and other changes in temperature and textures,” said Clara, a trained carer.
“She is also very far behind as she hasn’t had the ability to reach milestones, and this space will give her the best possible chance to catch up on everything she has missed out on.”
The equipment needed includes lights, a bubble wall and a smell sensory device.
These will desensitise Marlowe to sunlight, textures and sounds which she isn’t used to as she has been in hospital for all of her short life.
“We are also getting her walking bars which will strengthen her vital muscles including those that help her breathe,” added Clara.
Marlowe, who has a healthy twin brother Henley, will then, her mothers hope, be on the road to the next phase of her recovery.
Until recently she was only allowed out of hospital for a day out occasionally.
“I have no doubt that soon she will be running down the corridors of the hospital annoying everyone,” said Clara.
Clara and Ally hope that once the special room has been built, other children with disabilities will be able to benefit from it.
“There are lots and lots of people who would like to use this room,” said Clara.
“But there is not much around in regards to sensory play for children with special needs.”
Marlowe’s story and details of how to donate to the appeal can be found on the Facebook page at www.face book.com/teammarlowe fight or call 07464 720757.