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Mother fundraises for equipment to help disabled daughter communicate

More than £4,500 has been raised towards a piece of equipment needed to help a disabled toddler communicate after the Mercury featured her plight last week.

Daisy Caister, two, of Siberts Close in Shepherdswell, was diagnosed with Rett syndrome last spring. It is a disability that mainly affects little girls and she is unable to walk or talk. It means her parents rely on eye movements to interact with her.

Mother Meena Caister said: “She would benefit from Tobii Eye Gaze technology.”

Meena Caister and her daughter Daisy
Meena Caister and her daughter Daisy

Daisy can’t sit up unaided. She flickers her eyes to say ‘yes’ or ‘no.’

The equipment traces eye movements to enable a better understanding of behaviour.

“If Daisy was able to use it, it would mean so much to us to know what she’s thinking and to give her the ability to choose,”she said.

About £13,000 is needed for the family to buy it.

Daisy Caister
Daisy Caister

A fundraising page called Daisy’s Dukes has been formed, giving updates of the upcoming events and allows people to donate.

Mrs Caister said: “I have set up this page to help raise money towards an important piece of equipment that Daisy will need when she gets a bit older.

“These girls (who are diagnosed with Rett syndrome) aren’t mentally disabled but are unable to communicate to us.”

The Mercury launched an appeal last week in order to raise awareness of Daisy and her condition.

In her prize draw, Mrs Caister is giving away two tickets to see Take That in concert at the O2 Arena in London on Thursday, June 4.

To enter, visit the Daisy Dukes fundraiser page: www.gofundme.com/bvkrxg.

Then donate £5 and write ‘Take That’ in a message.

A name will be picked out of a hat at a Zumbathon on Friday, May 15. A venue is yet to be confirmed.

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