One of the very first ERT trials
Ismail Patel lives with Infantile Onset Pompe Disease. Now aged 19, he has benefitted from enzyme replacement therapy since he started on one of the very first treatment trials 14 years ago.
Ismail’s passion is football
Ismail’s powerchair football club.
Ismail’s abiding passion is football, anywhere, anyhow, anytime. As well as watching his favorite teams compete he also plays using an adapted wheelchair.
In recent years, as he grew, his old child’s wheelchair became unusable and he could no longer participate with his team, the Bolton Bullets.
AGSD-UK helps with grant applications
Care Advisor Jane Lewthwaite submitted eight grant applications on his behalf, trying to raise a minimum of eight thousand pounds to add to the £1000 Ismail had raised for himself through social media. The target was met in August so the Strike Force sports wheelchair was ordered from America.
Ismail commented:
“Huge thanks to Jane, all the funders and my social media donors. Thanks to Andrew Oldham, my physio at Salford Royal Hospital, and to Shirley Whittaker and all the team at Bolton Bullets. Chris Gordon at C5 Sports Services has been amazing.
I love playing football so much, it really is a big part of my life. Now I can compete in proper games, because the league requires a fully adapted chair”.
When two extra grants came through it meant that Ismail could also have enhanced seating for comfort and safety, as well as a high-spec joystick which will help him a lot.
Visit Boston Bullets Powerchair Football Club’s web site.
Main photo: Ismail shows off his brand new Strike Force powerchair.