Appeal to help buy Harold Hill tot Summer ‘eyeglaze’ computer so she can talk to her parents - using her eyes
Summer Cummins with mum Charley Wyatt (photo: Ellie Hoskins) - Credit: Archant
A £16,000 bill stands between little Summer Cummins and the word “mummy”.
That’s because four-year-old Summer, who lives in Harold Hill, has Rett syndrome – a brain disorder that has rendered her unable to speak.
Now mum Charley and dad Rory have set themselves the task of raising thousands of pounds to buy a special computer that will allow Summer to communicate – using only her eyes.
The “eyeglaze” machine will mean she can tell her parents she’s hungry, thirsty or in pain.
It can’t come quickly enough for Charley.
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“Communication is a lot – it’s personality,” said the 22-year-old, of Cricklade Avenue.
“It’s hard for us to see when she’s hungry – and she might not even like what we feed her.
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“I think it’s quite frustrating for her. She sees her little sister running around and playing, and she can’t join in.
“If she sees people eating she gets very agitated, and she gets upset if she notices people staring at her.”
Communication isn’t the only problem. Rett syndrome means she’s unable to sit or stand unaided, and has problems feeding herself.
Until she was 18 months old, Summer had progressed like any other little girl. Doctors discovered the problem following a hospital stay during which Summer was on a life-support machine for eight days.
But the onset of the disorder, which is genetic, meant she lost the skills she had learnt as a toddler – drinking from a cup, feeding herself, saying a few words and sitting up.
As part of the drive to raise cash, a fun day will take place on Saturday from 11am until 4pm outside the Virgin Active gym in The Brewery, Romford.
It will include a special appearance from Time FM DJ Mat Watson and a team of rowing firefighters.
A fundraising account has been set up in Summer’s name at the Metro Bank in Romford. To donate, just call 0203 402 7630.
