Ten year old Newton Aycliffe girl Katelyn Stacy needs your help. Katelyn was born prematurely at 32 weeks, which resulted in her being diagnosed with cerebral palsy by the age of one. Cerebral palsy is the name for a group of lifelong conditions that affect movement and co- ordination. Symptoms include stiff and weak muscles, tremors and poor co-ordination. In Katelyn’s case it has meant that she is unable to stand and is permanently confined to a wheelchair. Over the past couple of weeks Katelyn has been in and out of hospital with seizures and has now been diagnosed with epilepsy.
Katelyn is a very fun loving young lady who wishes to live her life to the fullest. Her biggest dream has been to be able to ride a bike. Katelyn’s parents both work hard but with two other children to look after and with funding going towards much needed medical equipment, Katelyn’s dream of a bike has never been fulfilled. A bike for Katelyn would have to be specially made for her requirements, allowing her legs and body to be secured in the correct position and allow her to sit upright. The bike would have to be pushed which will allow her legs to move and therefore maintain and strengthen her leg muscles.
Katelyn would love nothing more than to receive a trike off Santa Claus this year. She has even opened her own beauty salon painting nails for 50p, and she so far has made £24, with the bike costing around £1700 she may have a long time to wait. So far we have had a fantastic response from people via facebook. People’s kindness and generosity is overwhelming, but we are still in need of more donations.
ROF 59 is holding a music festival this Saturday 29th September, and we are asking for people to donate any spare change at this event.
If anyone would like to donate to Katelyn’s wheels appeal, they can contact Jo 07436 803533, or Nev 07966 898322, and let’s make Katelyn’s dreams come true!
