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Search forInjured Brendon says his specially adapted trike is 'fantastic'
Wednesday, November 19, 2008, 21:42
Until the fateful day in October 2006 Brendon had been like any other 11-year-old boy – playing with his friends, out on his bike or at football.
He was even a keen swimmer and was on his way to the pool at Hutton Moor Leisure Centre in Weston-super-Mare when the Vauxhall Astra struck him.
The crash turned his life upside down, causing a fractured skull and swelling on his brain, which meant a piece of skull was removed to relieve pressure.
He also suffered broken ribs, pelvis, shoulder and tibia and fibula bones, his liver split open and he had a large laceration to his right eye.
Doctors told his mum Donna Kibby he might not survive and if he did he could bleed to death from the liver injury or end up in a vegetative state.
Brendon was a fighter with different ideas and battled on even surviving a cardiac arrest during his 21-month hospital stay, mainly at Frenchay.
Now 13, he has been home since July but his days are still spent in a wheelchair, which supports his back and head, or in his bed resting.
The Bristol Evening Post launched an appeal in April to raise funds for a specially adapted trike to allow him more freedom.
The Post asked people to sponsor Kevin FitzGerald who was running the Frenchay 10K race in aid of Brendon or to donate money to reach the £2,000 target and in just one week the Bristol Evening Post, its readers, businesses and the Axentis Michael Charitable Trust exceeded the target, taking it to £2,521.
Over the past few months the trike has been specially adapted to suit Brendon's requirements and it was officially presented to him yesterday.
His little face beamed with delighted when the yellow trike, complete with bell and speedometer, was handed over and he described it as "fantastic."
He said: "Thank you everyone for my bike, it is the best.
"I want to go a long way on it, it's fantastic."
Donna said the whole family were grateful for the support shown.
She said: "We just want to thank everyone, all the sponsors and Action for Kids, who together made the trike possible.
"He used to go out on his bike all the time and play football.
"He'll never play football again but at least he can go out on his bike, it will make a huge difference to his life and give him more independence.
"Brendon was so chuffed when he saw it for the first time and it is adult size so it should last him.
"He gets fed up in his wheelchair because he can't really control it but with the bike he can pedal for himself as long as someone is with him.
"It means he can now join in with the rest of the family when we go for bike rides.
"We all went to Butlins in the summer and Brendon went in the pool three or four times and loved it, so the next thing we are looking to do is to get him into a hydrotherapy pool."
Although Brendon is still awaiting an operation for a titanium plate to be fitted in his head to replace the missing piece of his skull.
He now receives a tutor five mornings a week, physiotherapy and speech therapy three times a week, which has improved his condition considerably.
The next step is an extension at the family home to provide a downstairs bedroom and bathroom for Brendon.
Donna says the family have been waiting for 17 months but hope work will start soon.
Lyn Prodger from Action For Kids said: "We're absolutely delighted to present this trike to Brendon which readers of the Bristol Evening Post have kindly funded.
"The trike will give him more opportunities to get involved in social and sporting activities and will have a huge impact on his personal development.
"Action For Kids will remain in touch with Donna and Brendon and continue to offer support in whatever way they may need it."
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