Thanks for taking the time to visit my JustGiving page.

My story started on July 17th 2011 when Mummy took me to the GP's because concern had been raised about my 'waddle' walk.

The GP decided to send me that evening for an X-ray, it was that night that Mummy and Daddy were given the news that I had DDH otherwise known as Developmental Dysplasia of the Hip. I spent 5 hours that night at the hospital and despite blood tests and lots of doctors doing tests I kept smiling (and trying to escape into the kitchen!)

Unusually quickly we were called to the first of many appointments at Maidstone Hospital on Thursday 21st July where Mummy and Daddy were told how my hip was completely dislocated and needed operating on pretty quickly.... I just kept smiling! I think Mummy and Daddy were sad, they kept cuddling me lots!

September 5th came round....my big day....Mummy and Daddy took me to hospital at 7am and I went down for my operation at 9am..... I did make them cry and I cried to but tried to be brave and am told how very proud mummy & daddy were and still are of me. At 3pm Mummy held me for the first time in recovery in my spica cast..... she'd been told she shouldnt lift me because of her big baby bump so they wheeled us both back to the ward on a bed. I slept lots and stayed in for 2 nights.......first meal was giant choc buttons and diazapam!

I came home in my new car seat and had nicely propped pillows in bed as my cast meant i couldnt sit up straight or lay flat, it went from my chest to one side my ankle and the other my knee. I was really lucky to be loaned a chair called a spica chair which meant i could sit up and have a table in front if me....was a bit like sitting on a bike.

Various trips back to the hospital and i eventually got a sparkly purple cast...much nicer!

November 1st I had my cast removed....it was really noisy but the nurses were lovely and distraction of Daddys ipod games helped!

I then had to wear a brace at night for another 6 weeks Daddy used to call it 'Mickey Mouse ears' and had to make a joke because i didnt like wearing it! After this I could then start to move.....this took alot of time and regular physio followed by combined hydro therepy but I got there and had lots of help and support along the way.

I'm now booked to have my metal plate and screw taken out of my hip.....and I will be just as brave this time!

Seeing as its Hip awareness week 11-17th March I am participating in a sponsered walk (i may even persuade mummy to let me take my scooter) around Priory Park in Reigate to raise awareness of DDH and other hip conditions. They go un-noticed for too long all too often. The money raised will all go to STEPS who helped my family so much and through a very difficult time.

Thank you for reading and all your support.

Love Sophie. x