One Day, One Goal – help support Luca Waugh
St. Andrews International School, Green Valley is hosting the 2nd annual ‘One Day, One Goal’ charity football tournament on Saturday, September 24th in aid of the Luca Waugh Foundation.
Here is Luca’s story:
On the 10th September 2009 Luca Waugh tragically entered a swimming pool by himself and nearly drowned. His parents had waved goodbye to him that morning never imagining that later that day they were to receive the phone call every parent dreads, their son had been found floating in the pool and efforts to resuscitate him in situ had failed. Luca spent the next five weeks in intensive care and was finally discharged after seven weeks.
Luca Waugh.
Upon leaving hospital Luca’s prognosis was bleak. Diagnosed with severe Cerebral Palsy, blind and unable to move in any way, Carl and Wendy, his parents, were told the best they could hope for was that Luca might be able to roll onto his stomach and utter approximately seven words.
Unable to accept this, Luca with the support of his family and friends began the long process of restoration. It was at this point that Luca’s Foundation was created and funds donated then and since have allowed no stone in Luca’s recovery to be left unturned. Many therapies both traditional and alternative have been explored and Luca has been fortunate enough to try physiotherapy, occupational therapy, acupressure, suit therapy, stem cell therapy, hyperbaric oxygen therapy and healing. He has travelled as far afield as Los Angeles and Panama.
The results of this have been amazing. Sight has been restored and some muscle control regained. Luca sits independently, he commando crawls and pulls himself up to kneel against furniture. The most amazing progress has been cognitive. Luca can talk. Not just a few words, but full sentences and entire nursery rhymes. More incredible still, he is beginning to read. It is hoped that with further speech therapy his pronunciation will continue to improve.
The tournament organizers ask you to join them in raising awareness for pool safety, and raising as much money as possible for this incredibly brave young boy’s foundation. The competition has seen entrants from many international schools in Bangkok and Pattaya and also local teams from the Green Valley area.
The competition starts at 8.30am and finishes at 2pm. There will be food and drink available for purchase. Entrance is free but all donations are gratefully received. All proceeds go to the Luca Waugh Foundation.
For registration of teams and further details please contact Matt Dunn on [email protected].
