Latest news with #Cheadle
BBC News
23-07-2025
- Health
- BBC News
Girl, 7, wants others to see there is life after amputation
Seven year old River-Lucia is running around the garden of her Cheadle home, dashing up the steps of a slide and coming down the other side again and Leia watches proudly. She regularly films her daughter for their Instagram page, rushing up and down stairs, bouncing on trampolines, paddling in the Instagram River-Lucia is the fibular hemimelia warrior - the condition which ten months ago led to her left leg being removed below the since, and she and her mum have been trying to show others in a similar situation that life, although challenging, can be active and fun. Fibular hemimelia means one of the two bones in the lower leg, the fibula, is either shorter than normal or missing altogether, causing one leg to be shorter than the are born with the condition – in River-Lucia's case, Leia was told during her 20 week scan."In this world we are all born different. We all look different," said LeiaShe added: "Parents might find it hard to understand and think that the child's going to be treated different or not able to fit in a mainstream school. "They can and looking at River-Lucia's page you can see she's just normal like any other kid. She's just doing what they do." In Greater Manchester parents like Leia are usually referred to the Specialised Ability Centre in Wythenshawe before their child is even born. It is one of the biggest centres in the country offering both prosthetic (artificial) limbs and external support for existing limbs like built up shoes and most of their patients are adults, the centre does see around 150 children a year, who will stay within their services for the rest of their lives. Lara Littler, centre manager, said: "We see patients at pre-natal, we see expectant mothers…and then right after the child is born they will be seen by us and we will support that family through the emotional side, the physical side, the development aspects, all the way through." Staff also talk over the different options for each River-Lucia's case, the increasing difference in length could only be treated by multiple leg lengthening surgeries, which involve wearing an external cage for months and can lead to serious complications, or an amputation. "It was the most difficult decision of our lives," said Leia."We could have done it earlier when she was a baby but we held back as we wanted to see how her foot would grow""We waited until she was at an age to understand it all, showed her pictures, introduced her to other children…and when we showed River-Lucia the two options, she said "amputation" straight away"Last September, when she was six-years-old, River-Lucia had the lower part of her leg removed."It was such a shock. You can prepare yourself all you like but until you're actually there, it was all questions going on in my head, I couldn't sleep, it was 'are we making the right decision? are we going to regret this?'" said Leia. Shannon Hughes is a prosthetist, a specialist in all aspects of prosthetic limbs, who often works with children. She says anxiety over children undergoing amputation can be overwhelming for all concerned"It's really important that you involve the child and let them know that they get to make decisions too, but often you're working alongside the whole family, " she said."I think there's often a lot more anxiety around children….not knowing the future is kind of scary for most parents, but if you don't know anyone else who has a limb absence like your child then it's hard to know what the future might look like".Leia said her own daughter's limb amputation has been transformational – for the better. Her prosthetic limb has allowed her to be active in a way that external supports, like built up shoes, could not."You just saw her character come out…..She's got so much more confidence, she's not at my side anymore, she's not needing me for help. She must just feel so much more confident in this leg" Leia now hopes their Instagram account will help other families dealing with the news that a child might have to lose a asked what her favourite things are, River Lucia says: "Swimming, climbing, riding my bike, and running". Her prosthetic limb is covered with pictures of lions, for courage. Her bedroom, like much of the house, is filled with affirmative posters and ornaments. Many of her toys and dolls wear a prosthesis."We do have struggles at home getting from A-B and sometimes we do need the wheelchair. But eight times out of 10 she's doing what other kids can do," Leia said."It feels good because we know we've made the right decision….She's just giving it her all. Everything she's doing, she's just giving it her all". Listen to the best of BBC Radio Manchester on Sounds and follow BBC Manchester on Facebook, X, and Instagram. You can also send story ideas via Whatsapp to 0808 100 2230.
BBC News
15-07-2025
- General
- BBC News
Hundreds of residents oppose plans for 50 houses in Cheadle
Hundreds of people in a Staffordshire town are against proposals for 50 houses on three Developments (Stone) Limited announced plans earlier this year to build new homes on Manifold Drive, of the Rakeway Estate opposite the proposed development claim it would cause increased traffic congestion and heighten the risk of flooding. Documents submitted by the developer state that additional traffic would be "barely perceptible" and that the land was deemed to be at low risk of flooding. Almost 600 residents across Cheadle have signed a petition against the scheme, and several public meetings have been held, with so many wanting to attend that the venue size had to be petition states that there are concerns about the only route to the development being via Rakeway Estate, meaning more traffic using roads "that are in poor condition now".It also claimed that more housing would result in fewer green areas to soak up rainwater, and there was already "evidence of increased water lying and staying" in fields, roads and gardens. The developer said that Staffordshire Moorlands District Council could not demonstrate a five-year housing land supply, and therefore a presumption in favour of sustainable development Higgins, who has lived on the nearby estate for 21 years, was concerned more houses would alter the character of the market town."With all the buildings, it's going to be concrete everywhere," said the local, who was also worried about drainage and flooding claimed that every time there was heavy rain, roads around the area turned into streams.A flood risk assessment and drainage strategy produced by the developers stated that the site is in flood zone one, which is the lowest risk. It added that the development would ensure increased surface runoff would not increase the flood risk elsewhere.A planning committee is set to meet in mid-August to determine the application, with the public able to comment on the plans until 22 July. Follow BBC Stoke & Staffordshire on BBC Sounds, Facebook, X and Instagram.
BBC News
11-07-2025
- BBC News
Cheadle man jailed for attack on ex-partner and man
A man has been jailed for 30 years for the attempted murder of two people, including his Lovatt, 68, from Cheadle, Staffordshire, attacked the man and woman after following them to a house on 8 stabbed the man in the neck, chest and abdomen before stabbing the woman, his ex-partner, in the chest and holding the knife to her throat, police was convicted of one count of attempted murder following a trial at Stafford Crown Court and sentenced on Friday. He had previously also admitted two counts of wounding with intent and two counts of possessing a knife in a public place."This was a particularly violent attack that will no doubt have a lasting emotional effect on both victims," PC Eve Loach said. Lovatt had followed the couple from a pub back to the address in Cheadle while holding a knife in each hand, a police spokesperson the man answered the door, Lovatt stabbed him several times before attacking the later told officers he then hid the knives in an alleyway between Harbourne Crescent and Windy Arbour, where officers later found man he attacked had to undergo surgery after the stabbing, the spokesperson added. Follow BBC Stoke & Staffordshire on BBC Sounds, Facebook, X and Instagram.
Free Malaysia Today
09-07-2025
- Free Malaysia Today
British teen vanishes after secret flight to Malaysia
David Balisong's family has launched a donation drive to help fund their journey to Malaysia in search of their son. (GoFundMe pic) PETALING JAYA : A 17-year-old British schoolboy has vanished without a trace after secretly boarding a one-way flight to Malaysia, leaving his family shocked and desperate for answers. David Balisong, an A-student from Cheadle, Greater Manchester, left home early on June 6, telling his brother he had school matters to deal with, according to The Daily Mail. Instead, he flew alone from Manchester to Kuala Lumpur. He has since switched off his phone and is not responding to emails. Born in the UK to Filipino parents, David has no known ties to Malaysia. He left with 1,200 pounds (RM6,900) in his bank account and was granted a 90-day visa upon arrival. David was in the middle of his A-levels and had aspired to study computer science at Manchester University, with dreams of working for Nasa. His mother, Minerva, 50, a critical care nurse, described him as an 'ideal son' and 'ideal student', adding that the family was still in disbelief. 'We just want him to make contact and to know we're not angry. We love him and care for him more than he knows,' she said. The Balisong family has launched a donation drive to help fund their journey to Malaysia to search for David.
Daily Mail
07-07-2025
- Daily Mail
EXCLUSIVE My A-star student son left early for school and secretly boarded a one-way flight to Malaysia - I haven't heard from him since and am desperate to know he's still alive
A British schoolboy vanished without a trace a month ago after telling his brother he leaving early for school - secretly boarding a one-way flight to Malaysia. David Balisong, 17, from Cheadle, Greater Manchester, was midway through his A-level exams when he left home on June 6 and flew alone to Kuala Lumpur without telling anyone. David, a model student who hopes to study computer science at Manchester University and dreams of working for NASA, has switched off his phone and is not responding to emails. His heartbroken mother Minerva, 50, a critical care nurse, told MailOnline she is clinging to hope that David is still alive and begged him to let her know he is safe. She said: 'The emotion feels like a tsunami, we never saw any sign of this coming. We just woke up and the next thing our son was gone. 'We just want him to make contact and to know we're not angry with him, we love him and care for him more than he knows. 'We can't wait to hear from him or see him. We won't ask him to come back to the UK if he doesn't want to but we just need to know he's safe.' When he left the UK a month ago, he had just £1,200 in his bank account. He was born in the UK to Filipino parents but has no known links to Malaysia. The family raised the alarm after he failed to return home from college on the evening of Friday, June 6, and discovered he had taken his passport. The following evening, police confirmed he had left alone on a flight from Manchester Airport and had been granted a 90-day visa upon arrival at Kuala Lumpur airport. Mrs Balisong said she, David's father Lorenzo, 55, sister Faith, 16, and brother Daniel, 13, were all in total shock at his disappearance and could not think of a reason why he chose to leave. She said: 'He is healthy and happy and nothing was wrong that we knew of. 'He is an ideal student and an ideal son, everybody is just shocked, he is a homebody and always comes home. 'He's never not come home before. When he does go out he asks permission and keeps us updated. 'He was in the middle of his A-level exams and was possibly a bit stressed but no more than any student. 'We thought he had gone to school because his exams were ongoing, he was on study leave and that whole time he had been leaving the house. That Friday he did leave a little bit early, maybe at 6.30am, and we know his flight was at 9.30am. 'His younger brother asked why he was leaving early and he said 'I've just got some stuff to do at school' and left. 'My husband works a night shift at the hospital and little did we know while we were asleep he had boarded the plane.' His parents have launched a GoFundMe appeal to help them fly to Kuala Lumpur to join the search. David's aunt Tess Fulgencio also took to Facebook to post: 'These have been the longest and hardest days our family has ever known — filled with waiting, searching, and holding on to hope. 'To the Stockport Police - GMP - thank you for your tireless efforts and commitment to bringing David home. We see your dedication. We know you are working around the clock. Please know that your work means everything to us, even when words fall short.' Police urged anyone who may know David, his movements or anything else that could help the investigation to contact them on 101, quoting log number 3703 of 06/06/2025.
