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VR Transforms Life for Boy with Rare Condition
21 Dec
Summary
- Virtual reality provides a rare teen access to adventure.
- Teenager with undiagnosed condition uses VR to connect.
- Charity Lifelites enhances life for seriously ill children.
A 13-year-old boy, Mikey Strachan, is experiencing life beyond his complex medical challenges thanks to virtual reality. Mikey lives with an extremely rare, undiagnosed condition that requires him to be on a ventilator for most of the day. This condition has severely limited his ability to interact with the world, attend school, or travel. However, the introduction of Meta Quest 3 VR technology, facilitated by the charity Lifelites, has opened up new possibilities for adventure and social connection.
Mikey's mother, Chevonne Newlands, describes the VR technology as "life-changing," enabling her son to feel like a normal teenager and temporarily escape his medical realities. Lifelites is dedicated to providing children with life-limiting conditions access to assistive and sensory technology, helping them to play, create, and communicate. This technology includes devices that translate movement into sound and interactive floor projections, among others.
Despite facing numerous medical episodes and an ongoing search for a diagnosis, Mikey's family is focused on ensuring he has the best quality of life. Through VR, he can explore virtual worlds, swim with dolphins, and even play football with friends, activities that are otherwise impossible for him. This technology, supported by initiatives like the Mirror Christmas appeal, is crucial for children like Mikey who face significant physical barriers.
