COME ON HOLLY POPS!

We have decided to walk the South West Coast Path in aid of Holly. For those of you that don’t know, Holly who’s now 18 years old had a horse riding accident just over 2 years ago which left her with a severe traumatic brain injury. We are going to walk the whole of the SWCP which runs from Minehead to Poole and aim to fit certain sections around work/life commitments. As yet we haven’t put a time frame on completing the whole 630 miles but realistically looking at the next 2-3 years. We have made a start this week and completed the section from Minehead to Hunters Inn between Lynton and Coombe Martin which is just over 30 miles. (We’ve come this far, but already are looking forward to our next stage next month, fingers crossed!)

It is a life changing injury which Holly is in the slow process of recovering from. Whilst she will never be the old Holly again, she is working incredibly hard to improve in all areas.

One thing that’s holding her back is a condition she’s developed called Dystonia. This is a movement disorder and in Holly, makes her feet and ankles twist inwards as well as holding her arms and hands above her head. It’s painful and debilitating and hugely holds back her progress.

A treatment that has been tried is Botox. It’s used to relax the cramping/overactive muscles. For Holly it works well. Unfortunately, on the NHS the delays mean the treatment can’t be as regular as they should be which leaves Holly waiting for months between treatment and then in pain and discomfort.

Funding has been secured, through “Stand for Private Treatment” which is fantastic news!

Hopefully this will start in October. Holly and family will have to travel for this treatment as it’s not available privately in Cornwall or Devon. This will mean travelling to either Bristol or London every three months. Fingers crossed that Holly could get her treatment closer to home!