She has changed my life and given me a new perspective
BATTLING Amelie Burns has a fighting chance of being able to stand tall.
Amelie was diagnosed with MPPH syndrome, a genetic disorder which severely limits her ability to speak and walk, at a young age.
But thanks to an innovative piece of technology, known as the ‘Innowalk,’ Amelie might one day be able to pull herself to her feet.
And yesterday she was at Saltwell Park in Gateshead to help raise some cash for the specialists at County Durham charity Heel and Toe who have helped her.
Mum Kayley Burns, 36, from Consett, said: “She’s amazing and it was diagnosed early on so we’ve been able to introduce different types of therapies from a young age.
“We used to be able to do exercises to help her pull herself up at home but now she’s older it’s not safe without a specialist.
“It was heartbreaking not being able to do that together anymore so being able to do it through Heel and Toe is very important to us.
“This type of therapy means one day she might be able to pull herself up and transfer to another seat without any help.
“She’s a little character - it’s all on her terms and if she doesn’t want to do an exercise or therapy, she’ll let you know.
“But it’s taken a lot of hard work and fight to get her to where she is now and we’ll keep doing everything to give her a fighting chance of being as independent as possible.
“She has changed my life and given me a complete new perspective on everything.”
Jane Long, 39, from Heel and Toe, said the walk marked one year of fundraising for a new hydrotherapy pool.
With £430,000 of the £600,000 target raised, the charity is close to being able to build the largest pool in the region.
Jane added: “These pools improve quality of life so much for children like Amelie. There are only two of them in the North East at the moment and they are in very high demand.
“Once we’ve got this new one up and running, it will be a game-changer for people across our region who need access to that sort of therapy.”