An Angus family’s dream of creating a sensory room for their disabled daughter looks set to come true.
Gillian and Rob Millman issued a public appeal to make “new memories” with their daughter Lauren, who was left in a vegetative state after attempting to take her own life in 2013, and within a week they received enough donations from supporters to turn the scheme into a reality.
Following years of specialist care, the family noticed a massive improvement in the 23-year-old’s reactions when she used a hot tub for the first time during a family holiday in Blackpool.
Mr and Mrs Millman launched a £1,700 fundraising bid to install a sensory bathroom in their home to ensure Lauren can live her life to the fullest.
Mrs Millman said they were overjoyed by the public’s response.
“We have more than doubled our target,” she said.
“The amount so far includes some extremely generous donations from anonymous donors and local businessmen.
“We’ve been overwhelmed by the support shown —not only through donations but also words of support and love from the local community, also those who have offered their time to help.”
Lauren is not able to access hydrotherapy run by the council in the community as those facilities are only for people with learning disabilities.
She receives 24-hour respite care at the family’s specially-adapted home in Arbroath but the couple recently took her on holiday to Brickhouse Farm in Blackpool, which has accessible cottages including a hot tub with a tracking hoist.
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Mr and Mrs Millan said Lauren became quite “vocal” when she was in it with her dad.
Mrs Millman said: “We may not only be able to get Lauren’s bathroom sorted for her jacuzzi bath, but we may also be able to buy building materials needed to convert part of our stone garage into her own sensory room.
“This was a project that we have been considering for quite some time, but we felt we needed to prioritise.”
Lauren’s own sensory room would enable her to make use of such things as a ball pit, soft play, and possibly a water bed with a mobile hoist.
Lauren was studying higher social sciences at Angus College when the tragedy happened but she found it difficult to discuss her problems.
In Scotland, two people take their own lives every day. Suicide is the biggest killer of young people, but the associated stigma can make it difficult to talk to others.
People can access the fundraising page on www.gofundme.com/lauren039s-sensory-bathroom.
