the child
sI
“If I didn’t have Acorn
today”
m
a
I
re
e
h
w
e
b
’t
n
ld
u
wo
Ellie
mum and
llie is 13, lives with her
ool. She also
sisters and goes to sch
lar dystrophy
has a rare form of muscu
wheelchair and
that means she uses a
the spine.
has severe twisting of
E
ool. “I like
Ellie takes the bus to sch
says. “I want to
maths and writing,” she
er. I’m writing a
be a writer when I’m old
ment.”
book at school at the mo
r she would
When Ellie was younge
g to stay in.
rarely go out, preferrin
down her
It’s then she would write
says mum Kara.
thoughts and feelings,
for her,” she
“Acorns has been great
e at one time and
said. “She was a reclus
e goes up to
wouldn’t go out. Now sh
the park.
know that she
“She’s very strong. We
and Ellie is aware
could live into her 30s
might outlive
of that and even says ‘I
everybody else’.
nt of her but
“I have kept strong in fro
le of years after
was in denial for a coup
her diagnosis.
know and we’re
“There’s a lot we don’t
y, but she’s never
facing things day to da
felt sorry for herself.”
Black Country
Ellie visits Acorns in the
es part in
for short breaks and tak
designed
activities deliberately
nce and
to increase her confide
independence.
d
“I’m scared, nervous an
re
excited about the futu
g
because I’ll be leavin
more
home. I do want to be
ow
independent but I kn
t.”
it’ll be a lot differen
I wouldn’t be
“If I didn’t have Acorns
Ellie. “I can meet
where I am today,” said
disabilities and
other people who have
a rest from
it helps my mum to have
looking after me.”
uation with a
Ellie reflects on her sit
y condition is
measured maturity. “M
to it,” she says.
normal, I just got used
5