Seven-year-old Jaydi, whose body size resembles that of a four-year-old’s, is short of funds to pay for an adapted trike – which will allow her to experience true independence and freedom.

The little girl, who lives in Devon with her mum, has ligase IV microcephalic primordial dwarfism – a condition which affects her growth. Jaydi is around 3ft and is not expected to grow much taller.

Despite her petite size, Jaydi, who is sight impaired, has hearing issues and hip dysplasia, is determined not to resort to sitting in a buggy and dreams of a comfortable, secure specialised trike to call her own. 

Jaydi, who has “a real zest for life”, is unable to ride an average trike as she doesn’t have the balance to stay on. Jaydi’s mum, Lisa, explained that they owned a plastic toddler’s bike, which her daughter loved, but couldn’t ride it without mum holding on to her constantly which was dangerous.

Lisa said when the pair see other children riding around on bikes and scooters, Jaydi often looks at them and wishes she could do the same. Lisa says: “There’s a walkway near our house, through wetlands and she loves it down there. She sees other children on bikes and has started to show an interest in what they’re doing. She looks at them like ‘ah, that looks fun!’ and ‘why can’t I do that too?’

“I think the trike will give her some more independence and to get to have those experiences which other children may take for granted.”

Children Today recently awarded the family a £1,000 grant to go towards the cost of the equipment. But the family still need a further £151.00 to fully fund Jaydi’s life-changing trike (as of the date this was published).

The equipment will not only mean Jaydi can relax and enjoy herself but Lisa will also be reassured that her little girl is safe and enjoying her trike, hazard-free.

Jaydi, who Lisa branded as “happy, very mischievous and carefree” had the opportunity to try out the adapted trike, which fits her measurements, when the supplier Hickleys Healthcare paid a visit to their Devon home. Lisa adds: “Jaydi’s occupational therapist put me in contact with the supplier who came out during the end of the first lockdown and she had a go sitting on the trike outside. They showed us how it works and which one would be most suitable for Jaydi. She needs the support of being strapped in and it’s much sturdier than her plastic bike. 

“She had her feet on the pedals and a big grin on her face. She sat on it like Lady Muck!” 

The youngster is tube fed, has glaucoma, cataracts and craniosynostosis – a rare condition which means her skull didn’t grow properly when she was a baby. Despite this, Jaydi, who has also undergone a bone marrow transplant, is full of energy and according to mum, can go “full pelt for 17 hours a day”. 

Her hip dysplasia means Jaydi runs instead of walking and due to her limited eyesight, she is prone to falling into things. Lisa adds: “She’s so active – so the trike will help get rid of some of that physical energy and will hopefully build up the muscles in her legs too, which will be amazing. 

“Another great thing about the trike is that it has a handle so I can help steer her and there’s the option of moving the pedals out of the way when her legs get tired so she can have a rest and I can push her along. Because she will not grow much more, I expect it’ll last forever.”

If you would like to support a child like Jaydi you can make a donation on our website here: https://www.childrentoday.org.uk/donate-online/