Girl with brain injury gives back to charity that helped her
10-year-old Issy, has pledged her support for the charity that helped her learn to talk and walk again.
Issy was about to start her weekly dance class when she had a severe ischemic stroke caused by a blockage cutting off the blood supply to the brain. Issy was fit and healthy, with no pre-existing health issues. The stroke had left her unable to talk, to swallow, to walk or even to sit unaided.
Exactly eight weeks after her stroke, Issy arrived at The Children’s Trust in Tadworth, Surrey for an intensive rehabilitation programme including, Occupational Therapy, Speech and Language Therapy, Aquatic Therapy and Music Therapy. It was here that Issy re-learnt all the skills she had lost. Exercises during her physiotherapy included walking forwards and backwards on a treadmill to retrain her brain in heel to toe walking, and reaching up with her right arm to touch or pop bubbles.
Now, Issy is keen to give back to the charity that helped her by taking part in Step Forward, a virtual step challenge. Issy will be completing the challenge by climbing a total of 5113 stairs - 4380 stairs to represent the age Issy was in days when she had her stroke and 733 stairs to represent the number of days it has been, to date, since her stroke.
Issy continues to surprise friends and family with her remarkable progress. Following her time at The Children’s Trust, she went back to her dance class, ran her first 2k park run, and has even started rock climbing lessons. She also conquered the ArcelorMittal Orbit – the world’s longest tunnel slide – based in the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park in London.
Candice, Issy’s mum, says: “There are no words to describe just how grateful we are that Issy came to The Children’s Trust. It provided us all with a safe environment to come to terms with what had happened and felt like home very quickly. Issy arrived weak and unsure of her future but walked out confident, happy, independent and excited to get on with her life. The Children’s Trust has given us our Issy back. Now we want to give back to them.”
Katie Roberts, Head of Voluntary Fundraising, at The Children’s Trust said: “We’re honoured that Issy has chosen to take on this challenge in support of The Children’s Trust. The money raised by people taking part in Step Forward is incredibly important, now more than ever, because our work cannot stop. To keep our vital services running we need to raise £7 million a year so we can continue to help more children like Issy. ”
To support Issy, visit her fundraising page: https://stepforward2020.everydayhero.com/uk/issy-s-fundraising-page
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For more information or pictures, contact the press office on 01737 365865 or email pressoffice@thechildren’strust.org.uk
About The Children’s Trust
Every year more than 40,000 children in the UK are left with a brain injury as a result of an accident or illness and many have to live with ongoing, long-term difficulties. The Children’s Trust gives children with brain injury and neurodisability the opportunity to live the best life possible, by providing specialist rehabilitation, education and community services across the UK. www.thechildrenstrust.org.uk
