About Us

S.W.A.N came into being sometime after the birth of Charlotte. Born with a hole in her heart her family was told that development would be delayed following surgery.

They watched and waited but Charlotte didn't show any signs of development.

Referred to an assessment unit the family was told that she had vision and hearing problems. All tests came back negative or normal.

Finally reaching at Ormond St Children's Hospital in London the news was broken gently to the family "I'm sorry but you may never get a diagnosis and there are an awful lot of you out there".

Charlotte's grandmother asked about a support group and finding that there wasn't one decided to start a small local group. This came into being with the help and support of 'Contact a Family'.
To her amazement she received enquiries from all over the UK and then overseas. S.W.A.N now has members in six countries outside the UK and is continuing to grow.

Charlotte is now 15 still unable to walk or talk, is epileptic, has developed scoliosis and has problems with her digestion. Her family have had to fight for everything for her due to the lack of a specific diagnosis.