Payton walks for children
Payton Embling’s family consider her lucky because the cerebral palsy she lives with is mild and only affects her legs.
While she struggles to walk far and will undergo many operations in her lifetime, it could be much worse.
The Hawera girl’s muscles don’t stretch as her bones grow, said Chris, her father.
She has just had corrective surgery on her ankles, where bone was removed from her pelvis and inserted into her feet but she will be participating in the annual 10-10-10 Walk for Kids on Saturday, October 8.
The Lions Club New Zealand Child Mobility Foundation event encourages people to walk a set course in a bid to raise funds and awareness for children with mobility issues, like Payton.
Payton has struggled socially. She has found it hard to play with the other children.
It doesn’t hurt when she walks short distances and she takes a wheelchair longer distances.
She will do some walking at the Walk for Kids but will also ride in her chair as Dad pushes her.
Event organiser Martin Berry said people could walk 5km, 10km or any distance they chose around the Hicks Park, King Edward Park course.
It is the second year the event has been held nationwide.
Register at the Alpine Club Clubrooms, from 9am.