Sport therapy for 13 year old girl
Donation protected
Leonie is a 13 year old girl from Wales. She was born with a condition called Escobar Syndrome. This syndrome affects all the muscle and connective tissues in her body. Escobar damaged her when she was developing resulting in her having only 40% muscle tissue in her body. The syndrome has also left her with scoliosis (curvature of the spine), restrictive lung disease, congential heart defect, and obstructive sleep apnea.
Leonie started horse riding in preparation for a huge surgery. In 2012 she was due to have full spinal fusion, which involves long threaded bolts being placed through the vertebrae in her spine (from neck to base) and titanium rods then forcing her back straight.
Since Leonie started riding, it has become apparent that she has a natural talent for it, and LOVES it.
Surgery has now been postponed, and will be reviewed again at the end of 2015. Her curvature has REDUCED without surgery, thanks to the hours she puts in, in the saddle. Her core is so strong from riding that it is supporting her spine and reducing the damage. She has also gained an additional 50% in lung function since she started riding.
Leonie is now riding professionally, taking part at national level in dressage (the horse dancing!).
We are fund raising to enable her to continue riding at national level, and hopefully allow her to start competing Internationally. All funds raised will be held in Leonie's riding bank account and will only be used for Horse transport, competition entry fees, or professional training for her.
Hopefully we will take her one step closer to the Paralympics!
Thanks for reading
Zara Saffy x
Leonie started horse riding in preparation for a huge surgery. In 2012 she was due to have full spinal fusion, which involves long threaded bolts being placed through the vertebrae in her spine (from neck to base) and titanium rods then forcing her back straight.
Since Leonie started riding, it has become apparent that she has a natural talent for it, and LOVES it.
Surgery has now been postponed, and will be reviewed again at the end of 2015. Her curvature has REDUCED without surgery, thanks to the hours she puts in, in the saddle. Her core is so strong from riding that it is supporting her spine and reducing the damage. She has also gained an additional 50% in lung function since she started riding.
Leonie is now riding professionally, taking part at national level in dressage (the horse dancing!).
We are fund raising to enable her to continue riding at national level, and hopefully allow her to start competing Internationally. All funds raised will be held in Leonie's riding bank account and will only be used for Horse transport, competition entry fees, or professional training for her.
Hopefully we will take her one step closer to the Paralympics!
Thanks for reading
Zara Saffy x
Organizer
Zara Saffy
Organizer