Clara is one of a kind. She writes her own rules
It was a day her parents thought they would never see when little Clara Healy took her first steps. And they could barely hold her for crying.
That was last year during
Oor Wullie’s Big Walk and the youngster, who was born 16 weeks premature, walked over the finish line, holding mum Sophie and dad Corey’s hands for support.
A year on and she starts her day running into nursery without a second glance back to her proud parents. “We cannot believe the difference in Clara,” Sophie said. “She has worked so hard and is now walking on her own. She’s just incredible, absolutely amazing.”
Miracle baby Clara was born four months early in March 2017, weighing 1lb 3oz. She was delivered by emergency caesarean after Sophie’s waters broke at 23 weeks and she contracted septicaemia.
Clara was so tiny her skin was translucent, her eyes were fused shut and her lungs were the size of Sophie’s fingernail.
A high risk of infection meant it was three weeks before Sophie could hold her baby – and six months before she could come home from hospital.
Clara was diagnosed with chronic lung disease and was kept on a ventilator for five months. At six weeks old, though, her lungs collapsed and her parents were told to prepare for the worst. But the tot, who recently celebrated her third birthday, pulled through.
“Clara is one of a kind,” Sophie said. “Her determination is nothing short of inspiring.”
In July, the little fighter clocked up 24 miles for Lap The Map, a fundraiser launched by Glasgow Children’s Hospital Charity and Edinburgh Hospital Children’s
Charity following the Bucket Trail’s success. Teams raised vital cash by walking or running 6,200 miles – the length of Scotland’s coastline and border.
“Clara had to shield for the first part of lockdown but as soon as we were allowed out, she loved nothing more than our daily walk,” said Sophie. “She walked about two miles a day and raised £3,250 for GCHC. We were delighted to be able to give so much back.”
The money, just like that raised by OWBBT, will help other children like Clara and their families.