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Specialist Car Seat Gives Scarborough Family New Freedom

A six-year-old girl from Scarborough is now able to travel safely to school and enjoy time with friends and family thanks to a specialist car seat funded by Children Today Charitable Trust.

Nina Walker, who is currently awaiting an autism diagnosis, has no awareness of danger and requires one-to-one adult supervision at all times. She is non-verbal and has extreme sensory needs, making everyday activities challenging for her and her family.

Due to Nina’s lack of understanding of danger, her family are unable to walk anywhere safely without the use of a specialist buggy, and so they are heavily reliant on driving. However, travelling by car brought its own risks.

Her mum, Sarah Casey, has described how the situation was a cause for concern:

“Car journeys were becoming increasingly stressful as Nina was unhappy and uncomfortable in her regular car seat, so she would try and escape. I was terrified for her safety, my own safety, and anyone else in the car. I didn’t feel confident driving, but we had no other option,” 

The family turned to Children Today – a charity that specialises in providing adapted equipment for disabled children and young people – for support, and the charity helped fund the specialist car seat with an anti-escape safety harness designed to meet Nina’s complex needs. The seat now keeps Nina safe and secure during journeys, enabling her to attend school and stay connected with friends and family.

Sarah said:

“The new car seat and harness has changed everything for us. We finally have peace of mind knowing Nina is safe, and it means she doesn’t have to miss out on the everyday things that most people take for granted, like visiting her grandad. It’s made such a difference to our whole family.”

Emma Prescott, Charity Director at Children Today, added:

“Families caring for children with complex needs often live with a level of worry that most of us never have to imagine. We believe that every child deserves to be safe and included, regardless of their needs.

For families like Nina’s, the right specialist equipment can be truly transformative. It’s not just about safety – it’s about easing worries, restoring confidence, and helping families feel supported rather than alone so they can live their lives to the fullest.” 

To find out more about applying for equipment or supporting Children Today visit https://www.childrentoday.org.uk

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