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Friday, November 21, 2008, 20:10
It summed up far more eloquently than any long, convoluted sentence how he felt about the charity's therapy pool being destroyed by fire.
Edward was four weeks old when he suffered a severe brain haemorrhage that left him with poor vision, weakness along the right of his body and suffering from developmental delay which prevented him being from able to talk.
His parents Ian and Sarah did not know where to turn and went to Bibic, near Bridgwater, in 1996 from their Sheffield home for help after reading about the centre in a magazine.
"There was just no other help for us out there," recalled Mrs Sharpe.
"Bibic offered us the support we desperately needed, and, as time went on, became a lifeline for our family."
Edward was also diagnosed with autism but after a therapy programme with the centre's experts, he began to master communication skills and eventually, spoke his first words.
This week, the now lively and vocal youngster returned to the Knowle Hall headquarters to see the devastation caused by the fire that ripped through the site two weeks ago.
A swim with his dad in the warm water pool, with the coloured lights and music which fascinated him, had been Edward's treat at the end of a tiring two days of assessment tests and exercises.
Edward has been returning to Bibic at regular intervals for reassessment.
On each occasion Bibic therapists measure the progress he has made against development milestones and set new exercises and activities to stimulate more progress in the areas where improvement can be made.
By the age of six, Edward's communication and social skills had improved, as had his confidence.
He was able to express his needs, and during a visit to Bibic drew a man, wrote his name, identified letters and numbers and followed instructions.
Two years later, Bibic therapists found Edward was able to concentrate and respond when listening to a story, his knowledge of numbers and letters had further improved and he could tell left from right.
Watching Edward play happily with his therapist in the safe and cosy environment of the sensory room this week, Mr Sharpe said: "It's impossible to put a value on what Bibic has done for Edward and for us as a family.
"He is so comfortable here that he often surprises us by doing things and co-operating in ways we would not normally expect of him.
"Bibic has been a totally positive experience for Edward and for us as a family.
"The combination of different therapies, nutritional advice, feedback and encouragement has been and remains incredibly helpful".
Since the blaze broke out on November 4, hundreds of readers from across the West have come forward with donations to Help Bibic Bounce Back.
More than £13,000 has been raise in two weeks but donations are still needed.
The burned out pool
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