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More on KentOnline
A six-year-old girl who can’t see, speak or walk has a new furry friend, who calms her down and brings some normality to her life.
Parents of Mia-May McDonald, who has an undiagnosed genetic condition, raised £7,000 for a support dog called Bouncer, who joined the family in Allington, near Maidstone, four months ago and is still being trained by charity Supporting Paws.
Mia-May and Bouncer already have a special bond. Video: Mia-May's family
Once fully up to speed, it is hoped Bouncer, who is 11 months old, will be able to tell the difference between his own toys and Mia-May’s, which he will then return to their spot, if the Five Acre Wood pupil throws them on the floor.
Bouncer also sleeps in a crate in Mia-May’s room and the sound of his paws and him moving around at night soothe her.
Dad Nick McDonald, 40, said: “Because of her condition we do become more carers rather than parents a lot of the time, Bouncer just adds that bit of normality to her life.”
Bouncer is still being put through his paces and learning how to behave in different environments, such as walking down the street with Mia-May, but his attachment to the little girl is already strong.
Nick said: “Wherever Mia is he wants to be, he will automatically go to her. He will go up to her and nuzzle her. He already knows that while he can be quite boisterous with myself and Joanna, he needs to be gentle with Mia.”
Nick and Mia-May’s mum Joanna, an NHS administrator, are also hoping Bouncer will be a reassuring presence and go to their daughter when she’s unsettled, if, for instance she’s playing in her bedroom and realises she’s alone.
As for Mia’s reaction to Bouncer? She finds his bark absolutely hilarious, Nick says.
At 10 months old, doctors realised Mia-May was blind and MRI scans revealed her brain was not developing as it should be but they could not find a cause.
Nick said: “She’s gone through every single genetic study under the sun. It got to the point where we said ‘this isn’t going to fix anything’. Our focus is to give Mia the best life we possibly can.”
For years the couple have been fundraising for private physiotherapy and hydrotherapy to improve Mia-May’s strength and movement. Nick, who works in IT sales, ran the London marathon and completed the RideLondon cycling event in 2016.
His colleagues have also raised cash through triathlons and Tough Mudder events.
They have been supported through their fundraising by charity Tree of Hope, based in Tonbridge. The charity supports more than 800 sick and disabled children to have operations, therapies and specialist equipment that are not available through the NHS or social healthcare.
Mia-May loves the water, but during pandemic she’s been unable to go to the pool, so Bouncer is a welcome distraction and companion, as she has also been off school at various points because of the virus.
Nick said: “The need for fundraising is constant as Mia-May gets bigger. There are adaptations to the house we need to make, we want to get her a special bath as she loves being in the bath, and a new bike trailer as we used to take her out on our bikes but she is too big for it now.
"Plus, once Covid restrictions ease, we want to continue with physio to give her the best quality of life possible.”
To support the family, click here.
