Francis Read

We are fundraising to provide our grandson, Francis, with a hydrotherapy pool and a dedicated physiotherapy room. Our goal is to convert our garage into this essential space. Unfortunately, we’ve already used our retirement payout to future-proof our home so that Francis will always have a place to live. Now, we find ourselves needing help, and asking for it is one of the hardest things to do.

At just six weeks old, Francis stopped breathing. Thankfully, his Grandma—a nurse—was able to resuscitate him. He was rushed to the hospital by ambulance, where he remained in a critical condition for nearly an hour before being stabilized. After a few days in the NICU, doctors made the difficult decision to switch off his life support, fearing the worst. Against all odds, Francis defied expectations and, after nine months in the hospital, came home to us. Every day since has been a blessing as we continue to replace the things we were told he would never do with the incredible things he can do. His first "inchstone" was his smile, which lifts our hearts daily and keeps us going on this journey.

Francis was once considered non-verbal, but at seven years old, he was identified as "pre-verbal"—another inspiring inchstone. He has been diagnosed with inactive hydrocephalus and severe Cerebral Palsy (Level 5). His right hip has never been in its socket, causing his pelvis to tilt backward, and he has neuromuscular scoliosis with a 75-degree curvature of the spine, compounded by left-sided hypotonia. Surgical options, such as spinal rods or a hip plate, are currently not viable due to the risks, and surgeons have recommended monitoring and pain management for the next 6–8 years. Francis wears a body brace for at least 12 hours a day to slow the progression of his spine curvature, as well as ankle and hand splints to prevent contractures.

Francis finds immense comfort in massages and long bubble baths with lights, and hydrotherapy has been strongly recommended by his surgeon. Unfortunately, local access to hydrotherapy is unavailable. Francis currently receives hydrotherapy once a week at school, when the facilities are functional.

Francis faces numerous daily challenges. He is fed via a PEG tube in his stomach overnight and is monitored with a SATs device due to mild sleep apnea. He cannot move independently, so we provide 2-hourly position changes during the day, as well as massages for his legs, arms, and back before bed and upon waking. While he enjoys small amounts of oral food, he is at risk of aspiration, but his chest has thankfully remained clear.

Despite being registered blind, Francis has some close-up vision, enhanced by his glasses. He recognizes bright colors and familiar people. His hearing is strong, and he responds to requests to move his head or hands, although this takes time. Francis is a full-time wheelchair user and will never be able to mobilize independently without surgery and intensive therapy.

One of Francis’ greatest joys is music. Though non-verbal, he sings along in his own way to favorites like YMCA and I Will Walk 500 Miles. He especially loves the Royal Marine Band, and we take him to their concerts whenever possible. Francis often continues "singing" long after bedtime. Each night, when we say "Goodnight, I love you," he responds with his precious words, "wuv wuv," letting us know he loves us too.

Francis is under the care of multiple medical professionals, and without surgery, his discomfort will increase over time. Hydrotherapy and physiotherapy can help mitigate this, delaying further deterioration and reducing his reliance on medication that could hinder his communication abilities.

Currently, we have a blow-up hydro pool set up in a tent in the garden, which Francis loves. However, it can only be used on hot days to regulate his temperature. To provide consistent, year-round care, we have obtained planning permission to build a hydrotherapy area with a physiotherapy room in our garden. This space would allow Francis to have daily hydrotherapy and physiotherapy sessions at home, reducing travel and protecting his compromised immune system. Daily therapy would help manage his condition, hold back the progression of his spine curvature, and improve his overall quality of life.

We have worked hard to make Francis’ disability a routine part of life, integrating his specialist equipment into our home and caring for his sister alongside him. A hydrotherapy room would not only improve his physical health but also create a fun and inclusive activity for the whole family, further enhancing his happiness and well-being.

Francis communicates using buttons to make choices, and every day he improves at moving his hands to select options with encouragement. A hydrotherapy pool and physiotherapy room would be life-changing, helping to increase his mobility and maintain his ability to communicate—without the need for sedative medications that could slow his progress.

Thank you for your interest in Francis’ story. Please consider supporting us by donating or sharing this page. Your help would make a world of difference in giving Francis the care he needs to grow, develop, and live his best life.

For more information, please visit www.fearlessfrancis.com.

7.5% of all donations to Tree of Hope in relation to this appeal will be allocated to the general charitable purposes of Tree of Hope to cover our core operating costs.

If we raise insufficient funds, or surplus funds, then the funds will be used, if appropriate, to fund support for our child’s needs in accordance with Tree of Hope’s charitable objects. If in those circumstances we are unable to use all or part of the funds for the benefit of our child in accordance with Tree of Hope’s charitable objectives, then any funds that cannot be used will be transferred to be used for the general charitable purposes of Tree of Hope.