Molly's Cheetah Leg!

MOLLY’S STORY

If anything is going to inspire you today to do something worthwhile...to 'pay it forward'...to show infallible kindness without reward or recognition for yourself...I implore you - LET THIS BE IT!

Allow me to introduce you to 18 year old Molly...this is her inspiring true story of how, aged 17, she courageously faced the loss of her right foot...

This is how she announced her devastating news to her friends and family on both sides of the Atlantic:

Molly Anne
May 14, 2014 · 

So some of you may or may not know but I have a condition called Venous Malformation which basically means my veins in certain places of my body are under-developed. The part of my body that has been affected is my right foot. 

Last year I had a surgery in Arkansas Children's Hospital but it made it worse.

Since moving to Washington State I have been seeing a doctor in Seattle Children's. He proposed to do a surgery that would remove the affected area and reconstruct my foot.

After some testing we have seen that my condition has worsened and the surgery that we planned to do is not possible without major surgery involving a muscle transplant and I would only have some pain relief, and more surgery would be involved.

After much thought and discussion we have decided to do the best thing to be able to move forward in life and I am getting an amputation.

Thank you everyone for all your thoughts and prayers and as we get more information we will keep you posted!!!

But right now this is a new chapter in my book!!!

xxx

In the wake of this life-changing event, Molly's spirit and determination and her unshakeable beliefs have spurred her on towards a new adventure to become a champion against all odds...

Within two months of losing her foot she announced to the world this:

Molly Anne
July 23, 2014 · Blackbaud.com · 

Just registered for a 5K in San Diego, CA which is for people who have disabilities and amputations to get back up and moving!!!!

xxx

Then this:

Molly Anne
July 23, 2014 · 

Just signed up for swim clinics with CAF (Challenged Athletes Foundation) in San Diego!

I'm gonna start swimming again …

xxx

Molly went from strength to strength... 

And we watched her in wonder.

She open-swam in races...she para-glided...she rock-climed...she snowboarded...she made it into the U.S. Masters Team...

And just three months after her amputation she competed in her first triathlon.

Unbelievably, after competing in both her Disability and U.S. Master's Team she is getting ready to compete in the 2016 Paralympics.

And she's hasn't stopped there...

Molly wanted to run.

So, with her grit and determination, she signed up to her first 5k race...

However, 10 minutes into pushing off from the starting line, Molly's prosthetic foot broke.

Her surgeon at Seattle Children's Hospital was incredibly proud of her...she fitted a new socket for Molly and gave her clearance for a running leg...

Molly's surgical team, her friends, her family are behind her all the way.

But insurance won't meet the cost of the 'cheetah limb' Molly needs to properly train and comfortably run.

The Challenged Athletes Foundation (CAF), of whom our beloved Robin Williams was a lifetime supporter, will accept grant applications...but the date for the submission of an application has now  closed.

When the date re-opens at the end of 2015 Molly's will be just one of thousands of applicants.

But she is a global inspiriation and role model who's turned her loss into a gift.

A Cheetah Leg will cost around $25,000.00...sounds a lot right?
If I offered you that amount of money - and all I wanted to do was cut off your right foot, it wouldn't seem very much would it...?

Molly is the heart and soul of her family and a wonderful example to her younger brother and sisters.

She stands taller now with one foot than she ever did with two.

Please ... PLEASE ... help her become the Champion all round Athlete she can be.

(Molly has a companion GoFundMe site mirroring this one for her friends and family overseas - www.gofundme.com/mollysstory.   All proceeds from both campaigns will go towards the same goal!)