“I wouldn’t be without Parents HemiChat as a mum, the members all help to keep me sane when things get really hard and alongside that I love that I might be able to help someone else who is on a similar journey into the unknown – so that we can all learn more, give more and support more where the rest of the world so often gives little/no information or guidance offering only patronising negative judgement leaving people isolated and frustrated. “
Since joining HemiChat I have been able to share the highs and the lows of raising a child with hemiplegic cerebral palsy. It’s a lonely and sometimes frustrating journey and the support,help and advice given on this group is life changing. Being able to meet like minded families who understand why your having a bad day or your celebrating a milestone that other people might find mundane is again, life changing. As a parent of a disabled child it’s amazing to know that your not alone and somebody out there can talk you through it. Hemichat is an outstanding charity. I am honoured to be a member.
To put it simply Hemichat is amazing. It is a lovely, positive group full of other parents who know exactly how you feel. There is always someone to offer friendly advice or signpost you to the next Doctor or service you might need. The support offered by the group is invaluable and even the worst day seems better when you go on the page and everyone is there for you.
Hemichat has been an amazing find for our family. Our son Billy was diagnosed the day before his first birthday with left sided Hemiplegia. It turned our world upside down but we found out all we could, started physio, went for appointments and got on with daily life like everyone else. Fast forward 7 years and Billy had just started in the juniors at our local primary school. Suddenly he seemed to be increasingly frustrated and angry with the world and we realised that he felt different from his peers, alone and unhappy. It broke my heart. We did everything we could to explain to him and his classmates what hemiplegia is and we found Hemichat. The group was in its early days but it was great to be able to vent about the bad days and celebrate even the tiniest of victories with other parents who really knew what you and your family were going through. I felt Gill and I were great friends a long time before we actually met. The regular opportunities to meet other families has done wonderful things for our whole family, but especially Billy. He has met probably 50 or so other children affected in the same way and made some good friends. Knowing he’s not alone has increased his self esteem and given him faith in his own abilities not fear of his disabilities. He can walk tall amongst his peers at school and explain eloquently to anyone who asks why he wears a splint etc. We couldn’t be prouder of him and I honestly believe that Hemichat has helped him to become the person he is today. Hemichat isn’t just for the kids though, it supports the whole family, our daughter has met other siblings and I feel I have made some strong and lasting friendships. I personally struggled with Billy ‘s diagnosis and have suffered with bouts of depression. I wish Hemichat had been there at that time and I’m delighted to be a part of the support network for other families at this often scary and bewildering time. The advice and friendship offered by the group is awesome, I really feel we have made some friends for life. Thank you Gill and the team x
One word to describe hemi chat :::: lifeline. I would be lost with out the amazing families that I have had the privilege to meet along our journey, no one else understands any situation until they are in it or going through it…. and I have come across the most amazing people who I class as a 2nd family. I really don’t know where or how I would get through this without hemi chat, no matter what they’re always there for advice, pick me ups and just a chat!. I look forward to all the future meet ups – thanks for being so amazing
I don’t know where we’d be without HemiChat. I have been a member of their group since it started back in 2010 when I was at my lowest. I have since made some great friends and the meetups are just amazing. Thank you HemiChat x
