She Fought to Survive… Now She Can’t Even Leave Her Home

This is our sister, Gemma.

Gemma is 40 years old and, despite living with severe learning disabilities, limited communication, and mobility challenges, she has always filled her life with joy, laughter, and love.

Our mum and dad dedicated their lives to caring for her, providing round-the-clock love and support.

In 2008, our mum became unwell and, for the first time, sought respite care for Gemma. Sadly, she passed away in February 2009. Shortly after, in 2010, our dad also became ill and passed away in 2011. Tragically, due to her limited mental capacity, Gemma was unable to fully understand or process these losses.

Following this, Gemma was supported by Anchor Support Services and their dedicated team.

She found happiness in music, dancing, holidays, horse riding, and time with her friends, treasuring every moment, until recent years, when a series of serious and life-threatening illnesses changed everything.

In 2023, everything changed.

Gemma suffered a twisted bowel and went into cardiac arrest at Medway Hospital.

She underwent emergency, life-saving surgery. A large part of her bowel was removed. Her lungs collapsed, her kidneys were damaged, and she developed sepsis, which caused full paralysis.

We were told on four separate occasions that she might not survive.

But somehow… she did.

Gemma fought her way back.

Her recovery has been long and incredibly difficult. She had to relearn basic functions like swallowing and underwent months of intensive physiotherapy to regain even small movements.

Watching her reach out and hold our hands again was something we will never forget.

In 2024, Gemma was moved to a neurological rehabilitation centre, where she spent months rebuilding her strength. With determination and support, she made incredible progress.

By October, she was finally able to go home.

But home is now a basement.

Because of the layout of the property, Gemma lives in a downstairs space and cannot leave without being carried up and down stairs.

For a short time, she managed the stairs independently, she was able to see friends again, attend clubs, and take part in hydrotherapy.

But now, after a setback, she is no longer able to do this safely.

Because of care regulations, staff are not allowed to carry her, meaning only the two of us can help her access the outside world and getting her to her physiotherapy and medical appointments is challenging.

The reality is… most of the time, she is stuck.

Gemma is non verbal so unable to tell us how she feels, but we can see it, the frustration, the confusion, and the sadness.

She has started harming herself by biting her hands, and it is heartbreaking to watch.

Gemma is missing out on the clubs and activities she loves, spending time with her house friends in her beloved garden and benefiting from the sensory sand pit that was built especially for her.

After everything she has fought through… she is now trapped.

But there is a solution.

We have been advised that an outdoor platform lift can be installed at the property.

This would allow Gemma to safely leave her home in her wheelchair with her carers, giving her back, some independence, the ability to socialise on planned trips and regular clubs with her Anchor family and will also mean she can go back to attending regular hydrotherapy sessions.

It would truly change her life.

Gemma is the most determined, loving, and resilient person we know.

She has fought so hard to be here.

We just want her to be able to live her life again.

Please help us give Gemma her freedom back

Any donation, no matter how small, or even just sharing this post, would mean the world to us.

Thank you for taking the time to read Gemma’s story.

Love Kelly and David x