On Saturday 4th September 2021 I will be participating in a Muay Thai bout at the Eastside Rooms in Birmingham, to raise money for a very good cause(details below). I will be receiving 8 weeks of training at Redditch MMA prior to the fight, and I have never fought competitively before so this will be a completely new experience for me. As I open myself up to a barrage of punishment from punches, kicks, knees & elbows, I hope that you will kindly donate to this cause which is important to me.  The family and I will be eternally grateful for your support. Even if you cannot afford to donate a large amount, remember that every little counts, and please consider donating whatever you can afford, and please spread the word and share my fundraiser around. 

Ayannah and Khadijah were born 3 months premature. There were complications at birth, which resulted in Ayannah being born with Aysemtrical quadriparesis which falls under the umbrella of Cerebral palsy.

Ayannah few days old weighing 2lb

In order for Ayannah to enjoy basic physical independence, she undergoes a rigorous regime of physiotherapies. From daily stretches in standing frames, to keep her skeleton and muscles aligned. F.E.S-Functional Electronic Stimulation, Hydrotherapy, Physiotherapy to a nighttime sleep system to help her maintain a correct sleeping position.

Using her Gators while long sitting


Using her daily F.E.S


Despite all these daily interventions and therapies, Ayannah is still unable to complete a basic independent physical task, that we all take for granted. Such as getting out of bed, standing up, getting dressed and even going to the toilet.
Ayannah's altered muscle tone (tightness in the muscle that occurs whenever she moves) means that these tasks will always be out of her reach, however, there is a procedure that can help S.D.R

WHAT IS SDR?

S.D.R is a surgical procedure aimed at reducing spasticity (tight and stiff muscle tone) in the lower limbs by dividing some of the lumbar sensory nerve roots, thus interfering with the reflex arcs that cause increased muscle tone. It's mostly used for children with spastic diplegia (2 limbs affected). Spastic diplegia accounts for 25 to 30% of children born with C.P

HOW WILL IT HELP?

*Achieve a long-term reduction in spasticity
*Improve function and mobility
*Increase independence
*Increase range of motion and improve positioning

For further information please follow link https://www.scope.org.uk/advice-and-support/selective-dorsal-rhizotomy/


In order for this procedure to be successful, Ayannah must undergo intense physiotherapy lasting at least 5 years and this must be privately funded!
It has been made clear that the procedure won't be of use if there are no funds to assist with payment for all therapies and aftercare.

Ayannah is on the waiting list and the procedure could happen as soon as June 2020. Ayannah has undergone the assessments.

Ayannah at Bristol University -Gait Analysis 


Being a twin, it was/is hard for both the girls to realise they cannot play together how they want to.
Khadijah will try and include her sister with all games but this cannot always be the case.
Ayannah can only view from the sidelines as her peers and sister play team games, run races, climb trees and play Tag! This can lead to frustration and the questions "Why can’t I Walk?" ....."What's wrong with my brain?"..." Will I ever walk?"

Winter fun on a sledge


Fun times in the surf


Admiring the view from St Michaels Mount


Spring walks with her family


Riding her super Trike


Once Ayannah has the procedure, all the spasticity in her muscles will be removed, this will mean that Ayannah's gross motor functions will have to be rebuilt/reprogrammed. This is intensive akin to asking an adult to go to the gym 7 times a week while studying and working full time.
This is going to be hard for her 7-year-old self to cope with. Ayannah already has learned to write with her left hand (naturally right-handed).
She is such a witty fun bright girl that lights up a room and will be sure to make you laugh.


The funds will allow her to be provided targetted physiotherapy, private hydrotherapy sessions, and specialist equipment, for home therapy use. 
The SDR team suggests a budget of £13k a year for physio, for the first 2 years and this reduces as Ayannah gets stronger in years 3-5 post-surgery.

Having fun with her Sister


In total the family would need to raise £45,000 to oversee a period of 5 years of intense physio which will aid  Ayannah's journey towards a degree of physical independence.

Thank you for taking the time out to read, anything you can donate will be more than appreciated