Devon ASBAH Commended For Excellence
As one of the most common birth defects, Spina Bifida affects approximately 1 in 1000 pregnancies. Arising during the early stages of pregnancy, Spina Bifida is caused when the part of the foetus that forms the brain and spinal cord, the neural tube, fails to close properly. This causes long-term damage, including a split in the spinal cord which leads to nerve damage and a broad range of symptoms that categorise this tragic defect.
Today there are thousands of people living with this disability all over the UK, yet despite being commonplace in the medical world, public awareness remains largely poor, and local Associations for Spina Bifida and Hydrocephalus are left to fund themselves with little help from outside the organisation, with the exception donations.
One man who is acutely aware of the problems faced by those with this disability is Charles Harper who, as the Chairman of the Devon Association for Spina Bifida and Hydrocephalus (DASBAH), has spent the last few years providing valuable advise and information to all those affected by Spina Bifida or Hydrocephalus: "I originally worked closely with the South Thames ASBAH Association, and hoped to continue this work when I moved to Devon. Unfortunately I found that there wasn't an organisation yet set up down here so that's exactly what I did." That was in January 2001 and DASBAH have been providing help and advise to people with Spina Bifida and/or Hydrocephalus ever since.
The Association is run by a management committee of up to 11 people, nearly all of whom are affected in one way or another by Spina Bifida and/or Hydrocephalus, which means that the associate members are able to call on their own experiences as well as a great deal of professional information to provide advice and support.
For those in need of some friendly advice DASBAH would like to welcome anyone to take a look at their web-site, which holds a number of information links, as well as a variety of articles written on different aspects of the disability. A member of the team is always a phone-call away and they will be happy to discuss your worries or concerns over the phone or send an information pack or leaflet out to you.
Thanks to the hard work and dedication from DASBAH many people have been able to find a friendly ear to talk to and have access to a broad range of information and advise - a superb service that has not gone unnoticed by us here at the Cambridgeshire County Telegraph. As such, DASBAH have this week received the CMC Charity Awareness Award of Excellence in recognition of their commitment since they first began in 2001. Jenny Smith of the Telegraph, who commented on the Award, said: "I have been deeply impressed with the extensive range of information services provided by DASBAH, especially when they receive no outside help with regard to funding.
Through their friendly services anyone affected by Spina Bifida or Hydrocephalus can find the support or the information that they need, from people in a unique position to understand the full impact of the disability."
Sadly local ASBAH associations still face a lack of support and many have been forced to shut down. It was an event such as this which resulted in Devon's ASBAH to be given a holiday home from a local Bournemouth ASBAH, which now forms the main source of income for this otherwise self-sufficient organisation.
DASBAH's caravan is now situated on Hoburne Holiday Park, Paignton in Devon and provides a wheelchair accessible accommodation enabling visitors to have an enjoyable holiday in one of the most picturesque areas of the UK. As Charles explains: "We have been very fortunate to be able to offer this caravan to those who need it and I believe we have given a number of people a welcomed opportunity to be able to enjoy a holiday in accommodation specially designed to meet the special demands of people with disabilities such as Spina Bifida.
"The caravan itself is a very spacious all electric 12 ft wide by 32 ft long, (not including the veranda). It is very well designed and takes people with mobility problems into great consideration with its wide doorways and spacious areas and I believe it has been very well received with those who have enjoyed its facilities."
Indeed, the caravan holiday home at Hoburne Holiday Park Torbay was first made available by DASBAH in the 2004 season and offers its guests a comfortable and sympathetic place to enjoy a holiday. Thanks to the work of all involved within the organisation those staying in the caravan can enjoy reduced fees, all of the electricity paid for, as well as a complimentary club membership card provided by DASBAH, which would normally cost anything up to £20 per person per week. As such no money is made by DASBAH from the holiday home, and any remaining profits are put back into ensuring the high standard of upkeep and maintenance of the caravan at Hoburne Holiday Park in Paignton, Devon.
For those who are worried about the facilities of the park, fear not. As one of the English Riviera's best loved family holiday parks with a host of top facilities and stunning panoramic views across Torbay, there is so much to do on and off the park that you will find yourself spoilt for choice, and it is not hard to understand why Hoburne at Torbay has become a firm favourite for so many people.
The park has been thoughtfully laid out and makes good use of the area's charming natural beauty. Site facilities include licensed club-house, restaurant, golf, family entertainment, TV lounges, a mini 10-pin bowling alley, 2 heated swimming pools (indoor and outdoor), a kid's adventure playground, plus much much more!
For those who want to venture off the park the surrounding area offers a number of delightful attractions to tempt a variety of interests. Babbacombe Model Village presents a fascinating attraction, while Paignton Zoo offers a fantastic treat for all ages. Other popular places which are perfect for wiling away an afternoon are Pennywell Farm Activity Park and Kent’s Cavern.
For further information on the caravan or the park, please contact:
Charles Harper, Devon ASBAH. 48 Fernicombe Road, Paignton, Devon, TQ3 3UX.
Tel: 01803 522 256 - Fax: 0870 1202 913 - Email: mailbox@dasbah.info
Alternatively why not visit the web-site at www.dasbah.com
