WELCOME TO THE REACH FAMILY MEET THESE FUTURE FRIENDS WHO WILL HELP EACH OTHER TO GROW INTO CONFIDENT AND ACTIVE YOUNG ADULTS.... Anthony Joshua, known as AJ, is Amanda Wilkins's grandson, one of three grandchildren for whom she and husband Michael are kinship carers. "I had Reece (16) for 8 yrs before meeting Michael four and a half years ago," she said. "Ella-Rose (6) came to us in 2017 and AJ has been with us since November 2019, a week before his 1st birthday. "The birth parents of AJ were aware of his lower left arm Anthony Joshua aka AJ not being formed at the 20 week scan. We know AJ had weakness on his left side and he had physio to strengthen his neck muscles when he was very young. He amazes us everyday with his determined attitude. "I came across Reach after doing a search on Google for support groups for children with missing limbs. Before this lockdown we attended a baby group in the local children's centre which gave me the opportunity to meet other adults with babies/toddlers. This is all well and good but it will be good to meet other families with children with missing limbs.
From joining the organisation I have felt so much better and the lovely welcome on the Facebook page is much appreciated. "Chester is 19 months old and we spent the first 4.5 months of his life in hospital with various Chester John Webb acute medical needs," said dad Jamie Webb. His limb difference, although a complete surprise and not diagnosed ante-natally, has been the least of our issues at the start of his little life. However he is developing amazingly well and continues to amaze us everyday with how he just adapts to his left arm limb difference. He’s incredibly smiley and developing quite the cheeky personality already!
14 We’re so happy to have found Reach and know that it will come to be a source of great support over the years as he grows up.
Bertie Trebes-Bass See what new member Noah Steele, aged 7, got up to, on page 23
Joel Scollen
Sophia Hallinan Cayden Masterson Harry Scott
Lucas Speed aged 6
