Anna, now aged 15, was born to parents Jo and John in August 1997, joining her elder brother James. At first she was healthy but only 8 days after she was born she became very ill.
After a long period of uncertainty, Anna was diagnosed with Protein C Deficiency, a blood clotting disorder. Unfortunately by this stage Anna had suffered several strokes, which sadly caused a brain injury. She also had a blood clot to one of her kidneys which eventually had to be removed. Anna was subsequently diagnosed with Cerebral Palsy, Epilepsy and was identified as having Cortical Visual Blindness.
Unsurprisingly these events were a huge shock to her family but gradually they adapted and made Anna an integral part of their lives, whatever her problems. Anna attended a Local Authority School for a while and whilst she was doing well, there were limits to the support and development the School could offer, so her family started looking more widely for a suitable School to help Anna develop and grow.
RNIB Pears Centre for Specialist Learning
During their search Anna's family discovered RNIB Rushton School and Children's Home (now known as RNIB Pears centre for Specialist Learning), at the time based at Rushton Hall in Northamptonshire. Anna joined RNIB Rushton as a day student in 2003, fortunately Anna's transfer coincided with RNIB Rushton's relocation to Coventry which was fantastic for her family as it meant an easy bus trip to and from school each day.
When Anna started at RNIB Rushton she was unable to walk or use the toilet independently and she needed a lot of help and support with orientation.
Anna arrived at RNIB Rushton quite tactile defensive, with very little language and numeracy skills, Anna also suffers from Epilepsy and has fairly mild but regular seizures.
Anna has made tremendous strides
In the ten years of attending RNIB Rushton, Anna has made tremendous strides and is now mobile with one person holding her hand very lightly. She really loves walking and has made huge progress with speaking, loves music (especially Rolf Harris!), swimming and can count up to 5 when she chooses to. Anna has become fully able to use the toilet independently which is a fantastic achievement for her.
"If RNIB Pears Centre didn't exist who knows what life would be like for Anna and us, but I am very confident that it would not have been anywhere near as joyful as it is now" John - Anna's father
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