A SUPPORT group for parents of children with complex disabilities is to be set up in Ipswich.The Hypermobility East Anglia Group has been successful in gaining funding to run the scheme for two years.

A SUPPORT group for parents of children with complex disabilities is to be set up in Ipswich.

The Hypermobility East Anglia Group has been successful in gaining funding to run the scheme for two years.

David Rolph, disability officer, said: “The crude explanation of a person with hypermobility is a person who is double jointed. Their joints come out of socket or dislocate very easily.

“We have just learnt that we have been successful in gaining two years of funding of £10,000 to be spent over two years.

“The money is to be spent in Suffolk, we have initially identified two areas, Ipswich and Newmarket.

“The money is for a parents support network, helping parents with children who have hypermobility and complex disabilities.

“We are about supporting people through the moments of difficulty that the current statutory system presents. Some people have good experiences that can help others and some have had not such nice experiences.

The support group will allow parents the opportunity to share their problems and discuss ways of overcoming them.

Mr Rolph added: “Two years ago the national figures said 300,000 young people were affected by hypermobility but the numbers can change because of better diagnostics.

“People say it is rare but it isn't, it is down to how it is diagnosed. People sometimes present symptoms and we can say it could be or it couldn't be hypermobility.”

The group is now searching for premises where they can carry out their meetings on a fortnightly basis, preferably between 10am and noon.

Anyone with a venue available can contact Mr Rolph on 0845 241 0982.

The Hypermobility East Anglia Group has been awarded two years funding of £10,000 which will also fund a similar project in Newmarket.

n Weblink: www.heag.org.uk

Signs of hypermobility include the ability to bend joints (including fingers, knees, ankles, feet) back beyond their normal range. Ability to dislocate your joints very easily.

It is caused by having extra-stretchy ligaments. This means that their joints can bend the wrong way and even dislocate.

Hypermobility is genetic and people have it from birth.

It can also affect all internal organs

It is linked to irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), floppy baby syndrome (Hypotonia) and brittle bone disease.

Pilates, massage, and taking part in sports can all help.>