Worthing Tumble Tots launches new disability class

WORTHING Tumble Tots has launched a new class especially for young children with additional needs.

Julie Fuller, has been running Tumble Tots in the area for 25 years and believes her branch is the first in the country to offer such a class.

She said: “We are the only one in the country doing it. Our main aim is the physical development of the children. But it’s also about building confidence in the parents and their children’s abilities.

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“We can all be silly together, make off the wall comments and be ourselves together. We are all parents ourselves.

WH 290914  Julie Fuller with Kirsty Lester and her son, Alexander, twoWH 290914  Julie Fuller with Kirsty Lester and her son, Alexander, two
WH 290914 Julie Fuller with Kirsty Lester and her son, Alexander, two

“It’s not clinical, it’s somewhere that’s fun, bright noisy and silly and nice for the parents as well.”

So far the class has six members and is looking to increase its numbers.

The class is for children up to the age of four with physical special needs. Each session is 45 minutes long and incorporates massage, rhymes and songs.

Kirsty Lester’s son, Alexander, attends the classes.

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Alexander, two, suffers from a rare metabolic condition called nonketotic hyperglycinaemia which prevents his body from being able to break down glycine. The condition can cause brain damage and seizures, and affects the ability to combat illness.

Kirsty, 33, of Princess Avenue, Tarring, said the classes had been ‘really good’.

“We are really lucky his health has been optimum when we have been here,” she said. “The provision of fun physio services under the NHS is lacking. Coming and having lots of fun with the equipment, space and things like that is the best way to do it.”

Julie said the women who bring their children along to the sessions were incredible.

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“It’s been really great to see Alexander,” she said. “We are trying to work on getting him on his tummy.

“We are led by the parents. Kirsty was saying she would really like him lay on his tummy. We can start him on the wedge apparatus because you’re on your tummy but you don’t have that full pressure.”

Sarah Jackson, a Tumble Tot leader, came up with the idea for the classes when she realised there was not anything like it in the area.

For more information, contact Julie on 07799148286 or 01273 723511, or visit www.facebook.com/tumbletotswestsussex