Katie was born at 26 weeks 14 weeks too early!! Weighing just 2lb, within days her weight dropped to 1lb 10oz.  Once she was born she needed 24 hour care because she was too small and her body and organs were so undeveloped.

 

We were told she had a 50/50 chance of survival and were told to prepare for a lengthy and very difficult journey. Katie was critically ill and had to be cared for using the most modern equipment available and she was under constant observation in intensive care unit.

 

Due to Katie being born to early it meant that she was unable to breath for herself.  She was put onto a ventilator which helped her to breathe for the first few weeks.

 

Katie encountered many setbacks along the way and she was admitted back into intensive care a number of times throughout her recovery; She suffered a brain haemorrhage which left her with a left hemiplegia (cerebral palsy) she had many infections, collapsed lung, and required blood transfusions. They thought that Katie may need an operation on her heart, but she was treated with very expensive drugs and that cured her problem.

 

The day Katie was due to leave the hospital there was just one test that had to be carried out, that was to check her eyes. To our disappointment we were informed Katie had to undergo an emergency operation on her eyes if that did not take place she would have most certainly have been left blind, although Katie’s operation was a great success it still left her being very short sighted, but we were most grateful that she could at least see! we thank Mr Ainsworth everyday for saving katies eyesight.

 

Katie’s life has always been one tough battle for her; she had to wear leg splints to help her walk and from birth has had to wear glasses. Along the way she had to put up with children at school calling her unpleasant names due to her disability, she so much wanted to be like any other child, but always felt so different.

 

When Katie was younger she had problems with her balance and would hold on to anything near by for support.  One day unknowing to her Father, whilst she was holding on to the door frame he closed the door too.  Katie's thumb was still in the door, when the door was opened her thumb was hanging on by a thread of skin, she had to undergo an operation to have her thumb reconstructed and sewn back on, again this gave Katie the determination to use her other hand more which did her the world of good as this was the hand that she had the weakness in.

During the last couple of years Katie had to have a further two operations on her eyes to correct double vision.

 

Katie’s health also deteriorated, last year (2009) at first Doctors thought she had a thyroid problem then they thought it was ME and for nearly a year she was extremely poorly, she started to experience very bad panic attacks, and went onto a part time, timetable at school, but being Katie and never giving in she persevered and was soon back on the road to recovery, she still gets the odd panic attack, but is slowly being able to control them.

 

During this difficult period Katie visited Elisabeth Svendsen Trust donkey sanctuary in and the staff let Katie help groom and interact with the donkeys and she also adopted a donkey called Moses, this was also a great help to Katie.

 

Katie is just amazing! After everything she has gone through, she inspires many people she meets and is one lucky girl!

 

This year Katie’s hospital consultant Dr Meran nominated her for JOLT (journey of a life time trust) a charity that has been making a positive lasting difference to the lives of hundreds of disabled, ill, abused and neglected young people for many years.

 

These are not gentle comfortable trips, but tiring, taxing journeys in harsh environments that demand a great deal from the young people and those who accompany them., but they are also hugely rewarding, leaving participants with lasting memories of amazing places and a real sense of achievement.

 

For many the journey is a life-transforming event, "jolting" them out of their old lives, helping them to grow in confidence and self-esteem and giving them the ability to take control of their future.

Katie had to get through a stringent application process to gain a place and like a dream come true Katie got short listed; she had to go to and be interviewed and successfully gained a place on the 2010 expedition to go to the incredible islands of for a month from the 10^th July to . 

 

Katie is now commencing her first part of the challenge by fundraising to support this charity, “JOLT” as they rely entirely on the generosity of people, by giving donations or organising fundraising events.  Our aim is to raise minimum of £600, but we would love to raise more. 

 

We are fundraising in different ways, Katie is completing a sponsored bike ride around Sutton Park on 24.04.2010, we are selling raffle tickets to friends family and neighbours, Arthur Terry School are organising a coffee morning and Asda Minworth where Katie’s brother is employed have very kindly let us use their foyer on Monday 3^rd May 2010 to raise awareness for this brilliant charity.

 

If you would like to make a donation we would be very grateful. You can donate by using the JustGiving  website using this link http://www.justgiving.com/Katie-Natasha-Seal

 

Thank you for reading this story and to everybody who has supported us.  Every penny counts as it help’s towards funding a young person or a leader on the journey of a lifetime. 
 
Charity number: 1088591
Company Limited by guarantee: 4236414

Registered Office: Farrer & Co, 66 's Inn Fields, London WC2A 3LH
 For more information about the trust, and a detailed itinerary, please go to jolt – www.jolt.org 

 

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