A World Unlocked: Felix's Story
For 13-year-old Felix Forbes, a simple piece of technology has done what once seemed impossible: it has unlocked his world. Living with the rare and life-limiting Miller-Dieker Syndrome, a severe neurological condition, Felix was once described by his family as being "locked in his body." They had no idea of the cognitive ability hidden within.
This all changed thanks to assistive technology provided by the charity Lifelites. The charity specialises in providing sensory and assistive tech to seriously ill and disabled children across the UK and Ireland, offering them a vital chance to play, create, and communicate.
A Royal Visit and a Lifeline of Technology
Felix's journey gained a moment of royal recognition back in January, when he met the Princess of Wales. Catherine was visiting Tŷ Hafan Children’s Hospice in South Wales, where she was announced as the new Royal patron.
For Felix's parents, Alex and Dan, and his sisters Lottie and Maggie, the meeting was a dream come true. It was a particularly poignant moment, as just months earlier, Felix had been so unwell that his family feared he would not survive. His condition had led to a hospital dash and doctors preparing them for the worst.
The turning point for the family came when Felix, at the age of ten, began using Lifelites' Eyegaze technology. While playing a cause-and-effect game, he intentionally posted a letter in a letter box using only his eyes. "It was mind blowing," his mother Alex recalled. "All of a sudden we realised he did have cognitive ability. His action was so intentional."
This breakthrough opened up a new understanding of their son. They discovered he could play Mario Kart using adaptive controllers and, most joyfully, he could now make music with his dad. Using the Eyegaze to trigger notes, Felix plays along while his father strums a guitar. His favourite song is Hero by the Foo Fighters.
The Christmas Campaign for a Life-Changing Gift
Felix's story is a powerful example of why the Mirror has launched its Christmas appeal in aid of Lifelites. The campaign, titled 'Unwrap the Magic of Christmas', aims to raise vital funds to bring this life-changing technology to thousands more children.
There are an estimated 15,000 children in the UK and Ireland with life-limiting conditions who could benefit from such interventions. The technology provided by Lifelites includes not only the Eyegaze but also Soundbeam, Magic Carpet, and Sensory PODs.
Rob Lightfoot, CEO of Lifelites, emphasised the urgency: "There are thousands of seriously ill children out there that we cannot yet reach. Their worlds are shaped by medical complexity, constant uncertainty and profound isolation... Lifelites exists to give those moments back."
For families like Felix's, the impact is immeasurable. What began as a devastating diagnosis—a condition they were told would not see him live past infancy—has transformed into a life filled with connection, music, and even a royal encounter. Felix, now a teenager, continues to defy the odds, his world no longer locked away, but open and full of possibility.
