Mother of poorly young boy sees dream come true as he swims for the first time in specialist suit

Laura Williams, from Wrexham, has always dreamed her little boy Theo would be able to one day go swimming, something which has seemed out of reach since he was born with a number of serious conditions.

But Laura asked the physiotherapy team at Hope House to investigate how Theo could get to swim, and after lots of research, working with Theo’s consultant at Alder Hey Children's Hospital and purchasing a specialist swimming suit, Theo was able to get in the hospice’s hydrotherapy pool at the charity's Morda site, with his mum and sister Esmae, five.

“It was like I was still living in that dream,” said Laura, 26. “Theo really enjoyed it, he was just smiling away and giggling. I was just so happy to be able to have that moment and memory with my children.

"This would not have happened without Hope House.”

Theo was born with a kidney disease, renal failure and had a bleed on the brain.

He spent a lot of his early life confined to hospital with Laura during the coronavirus pandemic.

“I was introduced to the staff at Hope House who were incredible for us,” said Laura. “Whether it was helping care for Theo, being there for me to talk or helping with practical things like doing washing, they were there for us.”

Theo needs a dialysis catheter for his kidneys, meaning in normal circumstances he would not be able to go swimming due to infection risk. But Hope House staff worked hard to find a solution and were able to purchase a Hammond swimming suit for Theo which is sealed against the skin at the neck, elbows, and above the knees, to keep his medical lines dry.

Other children like Theo will also be able to use the suit in the future if they need it.

“I couldn’t believe it when they called me to say they’d been able to get a suit that would allow us to get in the pool with Theo,” said Laura.

“I take each day as it comes with Theo and everything we do is a memory. We don’t know what the future holds, but this was a moment I could cherish, being in the pool with my children.”

Emma Wyatt, clinical therapies lead at the hospices, said: “Hydrotherapy can be hugely beneficial to children like Theo, and that is why we worked hard to get him this suit.

"It was a combined effort between our therapy professionals here at Hope House and community nursing staff. We did lots of research on the benefits and safety aspects so that Theo’s consultant would approve us using the suit.

“It can help with cardiorespiratory function and can help slow down chronic kidney disease progression while also helping to increase strength and movement.

“It was amazing to see Theo in the pool and we are glad that the team here at Hope House could make this happen. It would also not be possible without the amazing support we get from those who fundraise for us throughout the year.”

The charity said that the support shown to youngsters like Theo is only possible thanks to generous donations and have urged people to consider how they can support the charity, through regular contributions, playing the weekly lottery, or holding a fundraising event.

For information about supporting Hope House visit hopehouse.org.uk.