I've raised £500 to go towards funding a new wheelchair for Justine - please donate!
Organised by Simply the Pets
Story
Simply the Pets are proud hosts of this years Fun Dog Show at the Sanderstead Community Day which is being held at the Sanderstead Recreation Ground, Limpsfield Road, on Saturday 30 September from 11am - 4pm. This year all proceeds will be going to someone who is very dear to Simply the Pets and our clients; Justine. If you are unable to make it to the show, or don't have a dog but would still like to donate we'd really, truly appreciate it!
And here's why we are hoping to raise money for her...
Through my work as a Dog Walker I was lucky enough to become friends with Justine when she hired me to walk her gorgeous Boxer X, Tilly. Justine and I developed a great bond over our mutual love of animals and she would often tell me how it was her dream job and she'd love to do it. Well that dream came true and she soon began working with us!
Sadly that dream came crashing down when, on Friday 27 June 2014, at just 38 years old Justine had a heart attack whilst at home. A lack of oxygen to the brain whilst she was resuscitated has left Justine with permanent brain damage and a life which couldn't be more different to the one she loved.
Justine defied all of the odds and survived - the doctors originally doubted she'd make the weekend. However, despite her mind being the same as it always was (including her naughty sense of humour!) the damage to her brain has affected her body and she is now sadly confined to a wheelchair with little movement capabilities, minimal eyesight (she can only see colours & shadows) and restricted ability to communicate. Although she has found her own amazing way of doing so!
In essence she is 'trapped in her own body'. Can you imagine what that must be like...being outdoors walking dogs several hours a day to then being stuck in a chair or a bed?!
And this is where you hopefully come in...Justine desperately needs a new wheelchair. The one she currently has is old and doesn't fit her body any more which means that it is incredibly uncomfortable for her to sit in for any period of time. This puts even more restrictions on Justine's already restrictive life. Her totally dedicated parents; Kath and Lee are only able to take her out for short periods of time before the pain becomes unbearable and she needs to be put in her bed. A new chair is expected to cost around £12,000!!! And whilst I could never hope to raise that amount of money I am hoping to be able to raise £500 to contribute towards it. I know any amount we raise will be so appreciated by Justine and her family and will really go a long way to making her life more comfortable and bearable. So please, if you are able to donate, no matter now how much, we will all be eternally grateful. Thank you xxx
Justine before her heart attack
Justine today
