Ref. 29613-22A YOUNGSTER'S fight to walk is being helped by a personalised workout video.

Charlotte Palfreeman, five, who has cerebral palsy, has a tailor-made video of herself doing a rigorous set of exercises.

It means she, with the help of her parents Rachel, 33, and Mark, 40, can go through her workout at home in Joyce Close, Abbey Meads, Swindon.

The Robert Le Kyng School pupil was born with cerebral palsy.

After reading the similar story of toddler Garreth Berridge, in the Evening Advertiser, her parents contacted Brainwave a Somerset charity which specialises in therapy for children with special needs.

The little boy who had moved with his family to Wootton Bassett from South Africa to receive the treatment had made excellent progress.

Doctors, keen to ensure that Charlotte followed the programme too, made a video for her to take home.

And according to her mum she's a natural star.

"Charlotte loves watching herself on television," said Mrs Palfreeman.

"The video's been really helpful for the whole family. My parents look after her quite a lot and they can follow the programme as well. This gives them something specific to do while they are in charge.

"We saw the story in the Evening Advertiser about the South African boy and thought we would do the same and contact Brainwave." Charlotte's big brother, Joshua, six, is also lending a hand.

Mrs Palfreeman added: "He likes it too and can watch his sister on the telly."

And it seems to be paying off. Last July, when Charlotte received her first assessment by the charity, she struggled to move about.

Now, eight months on, she's walking with the aid of a frame.

Mrs Palfreeman said: "There's been a big improvement in her condition.

"Initially it was very difficult for the family when we discovered that Charlotte had cerebral palsy.

"The main problem was not knowing what was going to happen. Nothing was definite all we could do was wait and see.

"Although we received excellent support from the child development unit at Victoria Hospital (in Old Town, Swindon) we felt that we wanted to do more to help her.

"The staff at Brainwave have been brilliant. We've been to the centre twice now and each time they've been extremely supportive. We've even had follow-up calls to check that we're managing okay with the programme."

Anne Kitchener, spokesperson for Brainwave, said: "The video not only allows the parents to see how to perform the exercises correctly, it is also a valuable tool in monitoring the child's progress."

Kevin Shoesmith