Skip over main navigation
  • Log in
  • Basket: (0 items)
Swings & Smiles

Support, friendship and play for children
with special needs and their families

Book a session Donate
Menu
  • Who we are
    • What we do
    • Our story
    • Meet the team
    • Our Trustees and Patrons
    • Contact us
  • At the centre
    • Our facilities
    • Our sessions
    • Book a session
    • Parent support
  • Outreach
    • About outreach
    • Outreach in schools
  • Sibling support
  • Our impact
    • The difference we make
    • Family stories
      • Katie's story
      • Benjamin's story
      • Georgia's Story
    • Case studies
  • Support us
    • Make a donation
    • Fundraise for us
      • Create a fundraising page
      • Fundraising ideas
      • Challenge events
      • Support a fundraiser
    • Volunteer
      • Volunteer opportunities
      • Internships
    • Corporate partnerships
    • Work with us
  • What's on
    • Events
    • News
      • Latest news
      • Sign up for our newsletter
    • Blog posts
  • Admin
    • Log in
  • Basket: (0 items)
  • Katie's story

Katie's story

When Katie was born in the summer of 2006 we had a diagnosis regarding her visual impairment within two weeks. She had a diagnosis of micropthalmia (small eyes), retinal coloboma (a wedge of retina is missing from both eyes) and rotational nystagmus.

Over the next year it was obvious that Katie did in fact have more far significant problems than at first thought. We entered into an unknown world of hospital tests and investigations to try and determine what was wrong and whether there was a diagnosis. Eventually, after a lot of time and effort, Katie was diagnosed with CHARGE syndrome. This means that Katie has both physical and cognitive difficulties making everyday life a real challenge for her and the rest of the family.

However, since visiting Swings & Smiles we have seen Katie explore and develop more and more independence. Apart from at home and school, this is the only place that she can do this. Katie started off coming in her walker and needing a lot of assistance to move around the building. Now she free walks and is so speedy! She climbs into the ball pit on her own and takes herself off to the slide.

Being here is like a breath of fresh air and I don’t know what we would do without it.

What is just as important for us is that her older brother William has also got to know people and make friends at Swings & Smiles. He and Katie both get equal attention and he knows that everyone wants to be his friend too which is really important to him. As a family of six, Katie and William have an older brother and sister too, we all enjoy coming to Swings & Smiles for family play but also special events such as Katie’s birthday.

Meeting other parents is great fun as well as getting to know the lovely, fun Swings & Smiles team – being here is like a breath of fresh air and I don’t know what we would do without it.

Rhonda Nicklin,
Katie's mum

Read another family story

Published: 9th May, 2019

Updated: 23rd October, 2019

Author: Swings & Smiles

Share this page
  • Email
  • Facebook
  • Twitter

Latest

  • Parsons Down Partnership's Neurodiversity Celebration Week

    Parsons Down Partnership's Neurodiversity Celebration Week

    As part of our Neurodiversity Celebration Week, we would like to raise some money to support the fantastic work that Swings and Smiles do in for our local community.

  • New SIBSupport Group

    New SIBSupport Group

    At Swings & Smiles we understand just how different life is when you are living in a family where a brother or sister has a disability or special needs, our support includes online support to make sure as many people as possible can benefit.

  • An Update - January 2021

    An Update - January 2021

    Following the most recent Government announcement, from Monday 11th January Swings & Smiles will be delivering a reduced timetable alongside some online support sessions.

  • Ron Hill Memorial

    Ron Hill Memorial

    This is the fundraising page for Swings & Smiles, in the memory of Ron Hill

Most read

  • Real life superheroes

    Real life superheroes

    On Saturday 17th August, four Swings & Smiles superheroes and their sidekicks took on the challenge of completing a Triathlon at Dorney Lake in Windsor.

  • Our sessions

    Our sessions

    Swings & Smiles is open seven days a week, providing a place to play and support for children with special needs and their families. Find out what's on offer and how you can book to come along.

  • How to Look After Your Mental Health During the Coronavirus Outbreak

    How to Look After Your Mental Health During the Coronavirus Outbreak

    It's a worrying time for lots of us, and we're here to make sure families are able to look after their mental health and feel supported during these difficult times.

  • West Berkshire SEND Local Offer Newsletter

    West Berkshire SEND Local Offer Newsletter

    The latest SEND Local Offer Newsletter is now available. The newsletter is issued termly and is very interesting and informative. It's packed full of details about everything available on the Local Offer.

  • Book a session

    Book a session

    Once you've completed our assessment form you'll be told which sessions you can attend at Swings & Smiles. You can book online via the website or email - we hope to see you soon!

  • Accessibility

  • What we do

    What we do

    Swings & Smiles is a place to play for children with special needs and their families. It offers a unique environment where the whole family feels supported and where they can spend quality time together. Our services include play sessions, sibling support and outreach.

  • Privacy Policy

    Swings & Smiles Privacy Policy

  • Swings & Smiles Newsletter

    Swings & Smiles Newsletter

    The first edition of our new quarterly newsletter is out - take a look to find out what we've been up to and what's coming up soon!

  • Our facilities

    Our facilities

    Swings & Smiles offers play sessions for children with special needs and their whole family at our centre in Thatcham.

Sign up for our newsletter

Please enter your first name
Please enter your last name
Please enter your email address Please enter a valid email address (e.g. [email protected])

Find us

A Place to Play
Lower Way
Thatcham
RG19 3RR

+44 (0)1635 285170
[email protected]

Links

  • Sitemap
  • Accessibility
  • Terms & Conditions
  • Privacy Policy

Follow us

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Youtube

Swings & Smiles is registered in England as charity number 1120598