Hot Tub Sale

Hot tub appeal for Bingham girl with rare disorder

The parents of a toddler with a rare genetic disorder say they are stunned by the response to an appeal for hydrotherapy to help their daughter.

Eighteen-month-old Maralise Van Wyk, from Bingham in Nottinghamshire, was diagnosed with Pontocerebellar Hypoplasia Type 2 (PCH2) in June.

Just one of five UK children with PCH2, Maralise's muscles are constantly tense, only eased by warm water.

Following BBC coverage, a hot tub firm has come forward to donate a spa pool.

Lynda Smart, UK retail sales and marketing manager for Hotspring World, said she saw the online article about Maralise and felt she had to help.

"I have three healthy children and an 18-month-old grandchild and reading about Maralise just makes you so grateful for what you have," said Mrs Smart.

"We are really thrilled to be able to help and put something back."

Maralise's parents, Becky and Jenico, said they were "completely overwhelmed" at the the messages and offers of help the family had received.

"Both Jenico and myself are overwhelmed at the generosity of Hotspring World for donating an incredible hot tub that will help our daughter Maralise," said Mrs Van Wyk.

"Having access to daily hydrotherapy will have an amazing impact on her life and ease her discomfort."

At the beginning of July, family and friends of Maralise started a project to try to turn the couple's garage into a hydrotherapy centre, complete with hot tub and, if possible, sensory music and lights.

Mrs Van Wyk said: "There are no hydrotherapy facilities in Rushcliffe so Maralise goes to hydrotherapy once a week at the Rutland House School for Parents.

"The difference it makes to her and her muscles is just incredible. She is very uncomfortable a lot of the time and she will cry all day. The only thing that stops her crying is being in water.

"Maralise cannot travel far and at the moment I put her in the bath but as she's getting bigger, she's getting more difficult to handle and the reality is, I'm going to struggle to offer her that relaxation unless we can offer it at home."

Mrs Van Wyk, 32, who has taken extended, unpaid maternity leave from her job as a secondary school teacher, administers drugs to Maralise 14 times a day.

"I also have to feed her with the pump through her tube, do physiotherapy every day and stretches, plus she has to spend time in her standing frame.

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