A little boy from Leigh, who has been living with a brain tumour since he was diagnosed on his first birthday, has been given a helping hand from Team SuperJosh.
Tyler Yates, 11, who has spent his life undergoing courses of radiotherapy and chemotherapy to try to help keep his tumours at bay, was good friends with Josh Wilson, who sadly passed away last year.
Following a bad water leak, Tyler’s bathroom suffered severe damp which poses a big infection risk.
In addition, the space needed adapting to suit Tyler’s ongoing needs and to enable him to be as independent as possible.
Dawn Fidler, mum and Founder of the Joshua Wilson Brain Tumour Charity, turned to one of their trustees, Simon Warrigton for help giving Tyler the bathroom he needed.
She said: “Tyler and Josh were great friends. It remains a great honour for us to be able to help families like Tyler’s and others across the region.
“It was what Josh wanted in life and I am proud that his amazing charity continues to be able to do so.”
Simon – who used to be in the bathroom industry – used his career experience and connections to help refurbish Tyler’s bathroom.
DIDN’T HAVE TO SPEND A PENNY! Brain tumour survivor Tyler is happy with his new bathroom from Team SuperJosh
Simon said, “Even though I am no longer in the bathroom industry I still have access to trade discounts and many years of expertise to draw upon.
“The whole project was completed within three days due to the hard working Dan and Kedgy, who started early and worked late to ensure minimum disruption to the family.”
Due to Tyler’s ongoing treatment he was having problems getting into the bath and was in danger of slipping and hurting himself.
Simon recommended a full-length shower with sliding doors and an overhead rainshower head to enable his parents to get into the shower, if Tyler ever became unsteady on his.
They also ensured the walls had strengthening batons installed so that, should Tyler ever need a chair installed, it could be fitted with a minimum of fuss and no need to remove the wall coverings.
The walls and ceiling were clad in a hygienic full-length ‘shower wall’ eliminating mould and damp from within the bathroom.
An extractor fan was installed to take out any excess moisture and a new combination toilet and vanity sink replaced the cracked and leaking toilet.
The radiator was replaced with an infrared ceiling panel to eliminate the risk of Tyler being burnt and to take advantage of the health benefits of infrared heating, damp is eliminated and absorbed by the fabric of the building.
Tyler’s mum, Pamela, said: “We cannot thank the SuperJosh charity enough for our fantastic bathroom.
“Not only has the health and accident risk been removed, but the room has been made practical, spacious and is so much more accommodating for Tyler’s needs.
“We no longer have worries about him burning himself on the radiator and the infrared panel is a godsend, it heats the room in minutes and along with the extractor fan, has helped stop the condensation which had added to the damp problem.”
“Tyler no longer needs support getting in and out the shower and, because he can use it himself.
“It has given him the freedom to shower as and when he likes, which is a lot more often nowadays. It has given him some control of his life.”
The Joshua Wilson Brain Tumour Charity relies on the support of local people to enable to provide the services offered.
Joshua was 3 ½ when he was diagnosed with a brain stem tumour. Life-saving surgery to remove the tumour left Josh with serious post-operative complications.
From Christmas 2013 Dawn was told seven times in eight months her son only had 48 hours to live. Josh defied all odds, and turned 14 in August 2014 but sadly died in November.
Since his passing, Dawn and Josh’s other family members have maintained their commitment to his Charity and have remained active and engaged with all of the charity’s supporters.
To find our more, you can visit the Joshua Wilson Brain Tumour Charity’s website or email them here.
You can donate online or by via text message by sending SJBT13 followed by £1, £2, £5 or £10 to 70070.
