Katy's Appeal
HemiHelp gave me more than half a chance...
Hello, my name is Katy and I am 23. I was born with hemiplegia and I have been a member of HemiHelp since I was 7. HemiHelp has always been there for me and my family and I'd like to tell you my story.
Growing up with left-sided hemiplegia, people used to look at me as different and therefore I used to think I was 'different' - I didn't feel like I belonged anywhere. Because hemiplegia affects me physically, it was difficult to do things that other children would take for granted, like tying shoe laces or running and jumping. At school, I was bullied about my disability and I felt excluded from activities and social groups. But through HemiHelp, I found people who knew what I was experiencing and who were able to help me.
My mum took me to my first Fun Day, where I met lots of other children like me and got all sorts of information and advice. I started to feel normal because I knew that I wasn't the only one with hemiplegia! My parents also benefited from HemiHelp by attending parent conferences and social events and reading their newsletters and leaflets. The confidence I have today is, in part, due to HemiHelp showing me that living with hemiplegia doesn't mean living half a life! I have a great job, I've learnt to drive, I'm doing my Duke of Edinburgh Gold Award, I'm a volunteer researcher for HemiHelp and I even met my boyfriend on HemiHelp's message board!
Living with hemiplegia has been tough at times, but my parents and I had HemiHelp to turn to. HemiHelp is like part of my extended family. But there is so much more HemiHelp could be doing to support even more children and families, if it had the funds. HemiHelp has all kinds of plans - to hold more music workshops, run more fun days and conferences, launch new art, drama and dance projects, and most importantly to make sure that every family in the UK affected by hemiplegia has the information and support they need. However, the charity does not receive any government funding and is entirely dependent on the generosity and goodwill of the public.
Please will you help more children have the chances that I had?
How you can help
- £10 covers 1 week of Helpline costs
- £25 gives a parent a half day workshop
- £35 gives a young person a careers day
- £50 gives a child a music workshop
- £100 gives a family with 2 children a HemiHelp Fun Day
Donate to HemiHelp
- Please donate to HemiHelp online - it's safe, simple and secure, and your payment will be processed by the Charities Aid Foundation.
- Or download Katy's Appeal (pdf format) to make a one-off donation by post.
- Would you consider making a regular donation to HemiHelp? Sign up for an online direct debit and help us to plan for the future.
