Hi, I'm Reesha! Thanks for taking the time to visit my JustGiving page. I'm here to tell you a little of my story.

I live with cerebral palsy and severe scoliosis. I use a wheelchair to get around and I employ a team of Support Assistants to help me with every aspect of my daily life. I am married with two daughters, I am a published author and a school governor.

In July 2022, my world was turned upside down when a routine mammogram showed some abnormal cells in my right breast, which after further testing, were proven to be pre cancerous. Discussions with the consultant told me that my only option was to have a mastectomy, the removal of my breast. The shock was overwhelming but I quickly realised that it was what I wanted. I wanted this danger gone from my body. Due to my large size, it was also agreed that I would have a reduction to my left breast at the same time, in order to help balance my posture.

I was suddenly thrown into a tidlewave of endless hospital appointments, a copious amount of information and advice, and some humungous decisions that no one wants to have to face. The fear was debilitating at times, I couldn't believe that this was happening to me, but no one would have known. I had to find an iron-clad strength within myself; I had my daughters to protect after all.

I was given a mountain of leaflets and pamphlets from the hospital to go through and one in particular jumped out at me: 'Living Flat - A practical guide to having a mastectomy and living well without reconstruction' from Flat Friends UK (Registered Charity 1168730). I had instantly decided that I didn't want a reconstruction and anyway, it wasn't possible due to my disabilities. I joined Flat Friends on Facebook and went along to a local coffee morning to find out more. I received a warm welcome as I listened to stories from other women's breast cancer journeys, shared what was happening with me and gained lots of invaluable advice and support before my surgery.

By the end of August 2022, I found myself in hospital, absolutely terrified as I tried to prepare during the long hours as I waited to go to theatre. The operation was a success and the biopsies from the tissue that had been removed later showed that no cancer was present. It was a massive relief to find that I needed no further treatment, such as radiotherapy or chemotherapy. I could focus on my recovery and have since gone from strength to strength.

I am immensely grateful to have received amazingly swift treatment from the Breast Cancer Institute at Nottingham City Hospital and incredible support from Flat Friends. I attended the Flat Friends Weekend in 2023 and had an absolute blast! I have made some fabulous friends and I'm proud to be a part of such a wonderful community.

So, now it's time for me to give back! To help celebrate the 10 year anniversary of the Flat Friends UK, founded by the beautiful Gilly Cant, I am going to swim 10 kilometres in 2024! I really need your help to raise at least £200 which will go towards the invaluable research carried out by the charity, the continued campaigning for the medical profession and others to accept that surgery without reconstruction should be a choice (without the need for psychological assessment to validate it), and the vital support offered to countless women who prove every day that living flat is something to be proud of.

I thank you so much for reading and would be grateful for anything you have to give, no matter how small.

Donating through JustGiving is simple, fast and totally secure. Your details are safe with JustGiving - they'll never sell them on or send unwanted emails. Once you donate, they'll send your money directly to the charity. So it's the most efficient way to donate - saving time and cutting costs for the charity.