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Jemima is a teenager with quadriplegic cerebral palsy. She struggles to move independently, and walking has been a long-term dream.

In her early years, Jemima went to St. Louis, USA, for life-changing surgery on her spine to help her learn to walk, crawl, sit, and gain other life skills we often take for granted. Since then, she has worked incredibly hard with an intense program of rehabilitation, doing therapy for a few hours every day. She is very motivated and loves her workouts. She can now stand for 10 minutes, use a walking frame, crawl, sit on her own for much longer, and her arm function has improved.

Jemima had further surgery in the US in 2017 to lengthen the muscles in her legs and arms. She is almost independent with feeding, using a computer, driving an electric wheelchair, and using a walker on her own — but she needs more help. This surgery gave her the chance to make greater progress and really start doing things on her own. The surgery, however, was just the starting point; she needed to continue with physio and strength training every day — after school, on weekends, and in intensive blocks during every holiday.

Lockdown was a major challenge, with homeschooling plus all her physical programs to complete. All external therapeutic input had to stop. It was hard to maintain skills during this time, and with fast teenage growth, Jemima was at risk of needing more surgery on her spine and feet.

In 2021 and 2022, she underwent two foot operations, but luckily, with hard work and newly focused intensive therapies, we have avoided spinal surgery. Jemima has always loved being in the water, but with her increased size, continuing to access hydrotherapy a few times a week has been crucial. With muscle tightness, it is important to include weekly sports massages in her schedule. Everyday skills still need to be practiced, too. Jemima engages fully and loves working toward new goals. Movement makes her smile, and she is so proud of each and every achievement.

Jemima is willing and motivated to put in the hard work, but the therapy package needs essential funds. We feel she deserves the opportunity to be like her friends, work toward an independent life, and — although expensive — the therapy is worth every penny.

Jemima also needs additional funds for equipment and home adaptations to enable her to be independent around the home. She has grown rapidly, and now it’s time to think about provisions that will lead into adulthood and give her the best opportunities. Jemima has a dedicated family who want to secure the very best outcomes for her, and seeing her smile and progress is worth all the time and effort.

Please help us make Jemima's dreams come true and give her the best life chances. If you can make a donation of support, we will be most grateful, and the funds will be put to great use on our journey toward an independent and happy life.

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7.5% of all donations to Tree of Hope in relation to this appeal will be allocated to the general charitable purposes of Tree of Hope to cover our core operating costs.

If we raise insufficient funds, or surplus funds, then the funds will be used, if appropriate, to fund support for our child’s needs in accordance with Tree of Hope’s charitable objects. If in those circumstances we are unable to use all or part of the funds for the benefit of our child in accordance with Tree of Hope’s charitable objectives, then any funds that cannot be used will be transferred to be used for the general charitable purposes of Tree of Hope.