Keep Matilda Walking USA

First of all, thank you for visiting my page. I’m 13 years old now, and as some of you may remember, I have cerebral palsy, which affects my legs, hands, and mobility. I’ve had several surgeries to help me along the way, but now it’s vitally important for me to have more. This is crucial because these are the last surgeries I’ll have while growing, and they will set me up for life. That’s why I have to get them right. On top of that, I have a window of about 7 months to do it. I’ve worked hard to maintain my independence, and I don’t want to lose it.

Sometimes, I use my wheelchair or a Kaye walker because these are the best options for me. However, I like to keep up with my friends, so I walk for short distances. But walking hurts because my hamstrings have bad spasticity, meaning they’re tight and painful all the time. This causes me to walk with a crouch, which leads to more problems with my hips and back. My balance and posture are also affected, so I fall over—like, all the time. My knees are constantly cut and bruised, and I think I have a loyalty card for my local minor injury unit.

Added to this mix is the fact that my left leg, which is more affected by cerebral palsy, has grown shorter than my right leg. I’m in so much pain with all of this. I’m missing out on life because I can’t join in to the best of my ability. I can’t sleep because of the pain and have to take medicine to relax my muscles so I can sleep. It’s not much fun for a girl my age.

To set me up in the best way for adult life and keep me walking independently, I need surgery on my hamstrings to lengthen them. This will help me lose the crouch and improve my posture, reducing pressure on my back. All of this together will relieve the constant pain and discomfort I’m in. The reason I’m fundraising is that I’m going back to a private doctor who has successfully carried out previous surgeries on me that have helped me tremendously! The NHS has said that I can’t have these surgeries through them, so here I am.

It would mean so much to me if you could help me reduce the pain—not only now, but into adulthood. I’m an independent soul and want to stay that way. I want to keep up with my friends, but I just can’t right now.

Thank you for taking the time to read my story.

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.