A heartwarming story unfolded when 13-year-old Felix Forbes had a memorable encounter with the Princess of Wales earlier this year. During her visit to Tŷ Hafan Children’s Hospice in South Wales, where she was announced as the new Royal patron, Catherine was deeply touched by Felix’s bravery and determination. This special moment was a dream come true for the Forbes family, comprising mum Alex, dad Dan, Felix, Lottie, and Maggie. Just months before, Felix, who suffers from a rare neurological condition called Miller-Dieker Syndrome, was gravely ill, causing great concern for his family.
Felix is among the 15,000 out of 100,000 children in the UK and Ireland with life-limiting conditions benefiting from Lifelites technology. Lifelites provides assistive and sensory technology that enables seriously ill and disabled children to play, learn, and communicate, making a significant impact on their lives. The charity’s mission is to make the impossible possible for children facing complex conditions.
The Mirror has launched its Christmas appeal to support Lifelites and bring the ‘Magic of Christmas’ to thousands of children by raising essential funds for life-changing technology like Eyegaze, Soundbeam, Magic Carpet, Sensory POD, Cosmo, and Switches. For Felix, Lifelites has been a game-changer, unlocking his cognitive abilities and fostering joyful family connections that were previously unimaginable.
Despite Lifelites’ impact on many children like Felix, there are still 85,000 children without access to this transformative technology. The CEO of Lifelites, Rob Lightfoot, emphasizes the urgency of providing these children with the opportunity to experience simple joys and moments of connection through technology. Reflecting on the profound impact of Lifelites, Lightfoot stresses the importance of supporting seriously ill children and their families in creating meaningful and memorable experiences.
The power of Lifelites technology is evident in Felix’s remarkable journey, as shared by his mother, Alex. From uncertain beginnings marked by a devastating diagnosis to witnessing Felix’s cognitive growth and resilience, the family’s story is a testament to the life-changing impact of Lifelites. Thanks to technology like Eyegaze, Felix has found avenues to express himself, connect with his family, and engage in activities that bring him joy and fulfillment.
The transformative impact of Lifelites extends beyond individual stories like Felix’s, reaching thousands of children in need of support and empowerment. Through generous donations and support from readers, Lifelites aims to continue providing life-changing technology to seriously ill children, enabling them to experience the magic of Christmas and create lasting memories with their loved ones.