Hi, my name is Katie and I would like to thank you for taking the time to read my story.....

I look at myself in the mirror as a 'normal' 12 year old girl, I enjoy dancing, singing and swimming the only difference is all these things take me a little bit longer than some, see I was born with Cerebral Palsy, for those who don't know its a lifelong condition which affects the movement and co-ordination which is caused by a bleed on the brain because I was born at 28 weeks.

5 years ago I had an operation called Selective Dorsal Rhizotomy this surgery SDR cut certain fibers in my spine that reduces stiffness and spasticity, sometimes after SDR you may need your tendons lengthening this allowed me to walk flat footed as I used to walk really high on my tip toes and SDR and ATL helped me walk flat footed, my feet used to be so stiff I couldn't even wiggle my toes and now I can!!

I remember thinking how lucky I was to be able to have this operation to change my life, After that was a very difficult time for my family as I had to be home schooled and our house had to be transformed into a living hospital with me sleeping in a hospital bed in the living room for over 6 weeks, in a full leg cast. I was just happy they were pink!

I had to learn how to walk again but this time completely different, I felt transformed into that person who could just get up and go. I was excited to go out and play with my friends after just watching for so long desperate to be able to join in the fun.

And fun I had till unfortunately 2 years ago my Mum and Dad were concerned because although my movement had improved my feet started to turn in and again I needed another long surgery yet again on both legs. This time it was called Femoral Osteotomy and the doctor had to remove some of the bone and rest my legs so they were straight and hold it together with metal plates, the nurses and doctors were so nice to me and my long stay in hospital came to an end and once again back in my hospital bed in my home. I was so happy to be with my family.

After 6 weeks which felt like a lifetime I was allowed to try and stand up I was like jelly but again determined. My family began fundraising for me doing different events to raise money for physio for me to recover my Mum even jumped out of a plane! With all them kind donations I had some brilliant private physio this helped me so much as I had a goal, I was mentally strong I just had to get my legs there too.

After a while unfortunately we had used all the donations on my physio I am now asking once again for anyone to donate towards some physio for me to get me back on track and hopefully to upgrade my walking sticks, these help massively for my balance.

Myself and my Mum came up with a great idea for me to run in the Manchester Junior run in Manchester on 20th May. I wanted to show people no matter what hurdle is put in front of them anything is possible, I want to live my life the way I want too not the way a disabled child should, people say to me I am an inspiration which I get embarrassed at because Im just trying to be the best version of me I can, it might take me a little longer to finish that finishing line, but I will do it.