The Sunday School meets each Sunday from 10.30am. Children from age 3 upwards will be warmly welcomed and will enjoy the variety of activities on offer.
Brooke’s Dream
Brooke Ramsay is a 7 year old twin who was born 3 months prematurely. Brooke survived early birth complications such as pneumonia, chronic lung disease, and brain bleeds and came home after 13 weeks Hospital. She was diagnosed with Cerebral Palsy at 2 years.
Cerebral Palsy is a condition which takes different forms and affects every individual differently. Brooke has been diagnosed with Spastic Diplegia. Her muscles in both legs are extremely tight which causes her to walk on her tip-toes. As a result her balance is poor and she is prone to falling.
Since the age of 2, Brooke has worn splints to aid her walking. A daily physio exercise is undertaken as well as sessions with Child Physiotherapists from ‘Armistead’ child development centre in Dundee. Brooke’s muscle and bone growth rate are different, therefore sometimes her walking and balance is worse than at other times. Illness, even a common cold, can adversely effect her walking and balance. There is no way to predict how the condition will effect her as she grows. Brooke lives in Carnoustie with mum, dad, twin sister Amy, and little brother Ben. Her siblings are not effected by this condition.
Brooke is a very bright young girl but her self confidence has suffered as a result of being unable to paticipate in the normal physical activities of a 7 year old. Botox treatment and other medicines can be given, however this is merely a temporary solution and does not work on every occasion. Brooke had her first Botox Treatment on 11th July 2011. She spent 3 weeks in casts and will now undergo increased physio to try and maintain a better level of flexibility.
Selective Dorsal Rhizotomy (SDR) is a procedure which permanently eliminates high muscle tone by cutting damaged nerves in the spine leaving the healthy ones to carry the correct signals from the brain to the muscles. SDR surgery would give Brooke the opportunity to walk on her flat feet. Her balance and co-ordination would be so much better and she would be able to take part in most if not all activities as her sister and friends do. Until recently, this procedure was only carried out at St Louis Hospital, Missouri, US, by Dr T S Park. He has worked in this field for over 20 years with a 100% success rate. At the moment, the cost of surgery in America is approximately £40,000 sterling per patient. This does not cover the intensive physio which is necessary afterwards. Very recently, the surgery has been carried out at Frenchay Hospital in Bristol, by Dr Aquilina, for children over 6 years old. Dr Aquilina worked with Dr Park in America and studied his techniques. The cost for the procedure in Bristol has been set by the hospital at around £24,000 sterling. This figure includes 3 weeks post-operative care with physio afterwards, however this is only the start of the aftercare required. The after care that Brooke would require post surgery will be 2 – 3 years of intensive physio. It is estimated that this will cost somewhere in the region of £40,000 including the purchase of some essential equiptment. Brooke’s family and friends are trying to raise the money for this treatment.
Brooke, her sister Amy and brother, Ben, were all baptised in the Old & Abbey Church. The children and teachers of the Sunday School were delighted to welcome the Ramsay family on Sunday 12th February when Jane Hunter presented Brooke with a cheque for £200 (raised from the recent ‘Tea & Traybakes Afternoon’) to add to the money already raised for her SDR treatment. Mr & Mrs Ramsay were happy to answer questions about Brooke’s prospective treatment.
We hope everything goes well for Brooke and her family and that they get an early positive response to her operation taking place in Bristol in the next few months. We ask you all to keep Brooke in your prayers.
Senior Sunday School – Christmas Outing 2011
On Saturday 3rd December 2011 7 pupils and 5 teachers set off by train for Edinburgh. The weather was cold but sunny and everyone enjoyed the walk from Waverley Station to Dynamic Earth beside the Scottish Parliament. The mixture of interactive exhibits, films and special effects provided something for everyone. After lunch the group made its way back to Princes Street Gardens, to the Christmas Fair and the Ice Rink. All the pupils along with two brave teachers went skating – thankfully with no injuries! The big wheel proved the next attraction for most of the group while one pupil opted for the ice maze. The nearby Princes Mall Food Court provided plenty of choice for the hungry brood before the train journey home after a brilliant day out.
Have a look at our pictures of our day out ………..
