Jemima's Journey

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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 in order to help her to learn to walk, crawl and sit plus all the other life skills we normally take for granted. Since then she has worked incredibly hard with an intense program of rehabilitation, with therapy for a few hours every day. She is very motivated and loves her work outs.  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. Jemima 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 allowed her a chance to make greater progress and really start to do things on her own.  The surgery is only the starting point, she needed to carry on with continued physio and strength training day in day out, after school, at weekends and intensive blocks in every holiday.

Lockdown was a major challenge with homeschooling plus all her physical programmes to complete. All external therapeutic input had to stop. It was hard to maintain skills in 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 2 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 sports massage weekly in her schedule. And everyday skills still need to be practsied. Jemima engages fully and loves working towards 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 towards an independent life and although expensive, the therapy is worth every penny.

Jemima also needs additional funds for equipment and home adaptions to enable her to be independent around the home. She has grown rapidly and now its is 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.

Pleasehelp us to 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 towards an independent and happy life.

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