Story
We hate asking for money but in Emmy's exceptional case, see below, we are sure you will agree deserves exceptional measures. Raising money will change little Emmys life and give her the opportunity of doing what most of us take for granted; to be able to walk.
Read Emmy's full story at www.justgiving.com/readyemmywalk
So what better way to raise the much needed money than to put on our walking boots and take ourselves off around the coastal paths of the Isle of Wight. But not being happy just to challenge ourselves with that, we are also going to complete the Walk to Wight. The coastal path is approximately 67 miles, and the Walk to Wight is a 26.5 mile organised walk from Bembridge to the Needles which is completed in one day. Our adventure is starting from Gunwharf Keys on Sunday 8th May 2016 when Carly, Emmy's mummy and Colin, her grandad are abseiling down the Spinaker Tower. Why not come along and show your support?
Emmy has been through such a lot in her relatively short life so far. She was born eight weeks prematurely after her identical twin sister, Ava, died in the womb of Twin-to-Twin Transfusion Syndrome. She was then diagnosed with Cerebral Palsy Spastic Diplegia last July when she was just 20-months-old.
Emmy needs a spinal operation called Selective Dorsal Rhizotomy (SDR), which helps sufferers walk, this is not yet available on the NHS in the UK and costs £85,000 for the surgery and after care costs.
Although there is no cure for Cerebral Palsy, SDR is the only procedure that could permanently reduce or eliminate the spasticity in Emmys legs.
Emmy’s Cerebral Palsy causes increased muscle tone in her legs and feet which makes them constantly stiff. This affects her balance and co-ordination, making simple things such as crawling, cruising and even sitting up harder for her. At two years old Emmy is not yet able to stand or walk independently.
Earlier in February the King family have had some incredibly exciting news from St Louis .....Emmy's application for SDR surgery has been officially accepted by the worlds leading neurosurgeon, Dr Park, and she is now on the waiting list for surgery this year.
In his letter Dr Park said that Emmy is an "excellent candidate" for SDR. He went on to say that he expects to see the following improvements after surgery:
- Her spasticity will be permanently reduced
- Her sitting and standing postures will improve
- Her transitions between postures will be easier and faster
- Her balance and level of comfort will both improve
- EMMY WILL BE ABLE TO WALK INDEPENDENTLY IN ALL ENVIRONMENTS
So the challenge is on ....please help Nicola and Caroline to raise as much as possible to help Emmy to get to the USA and have the surgery she needs to change her life forever. Her family would like her to have this operation before her third birthday in November.
Emmy has been through such a lot in her short life already, please dig deep and help her along her way.
justgiving.com/readyemmywalk
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