Emma's Wheels
Donation protected
Earlier this year, my sister Emma’s life was turned upside down. We have been overwhelmed by the love and support shown from friends and family and we are so grateful to you for showing Emma how much she is loved. Many of you have been asking how you can help and that you would like to do something for her, so after much deliberation, I have decided to set up this page so that you can really make a difference to Emma’s life and hopefully through reading her story, bring awareness to this rare and serious condition.
Emma’s Story
In late February, Emma underwent emergency surgery after an MRI showed a bulged and chipped spinal disc. She was later diagnosed with Cauda Equina Syndrome, a rare and extremely serious condition that describes extreme pressure and swelling of the nerves at the bottom of the spinal cord. CES requires emergency surgery, because the longer it goes untreated, the greater the damage. Sadly for Emma, the delay resulted in her now being paraplegic and unable to walk, with damage to both her bladder and bowel control. In addition to these life changing conditions, Emma has unrelated non-epileptic-seizures that leave her with both limited strength, mobility and general fatigue, all of which has an impact on how she copes with CES. Emma’s wheelchair choice and house adaptions are vitally important and currently, without the help of her husband and children, she could not cope independently. Even the simplest of tasks have become monumental.
How You Can Help
Whilst our target in no way will cover all of Emma’s required financial outlay (the majority will be paid for themselves, with some council funding and parental help) it would be amazing to lessen the burden of one of the most costly items on the list…the wheels! A wheelchair specific to Emma’s needs, together with the essential need for power assistance (with the offset of £350 pounds given by the council) will be between £7000 - £9000. Giving Emma her independence will be the greatest thing we can do for her so whatever money is donated, will go towards this.
Thank You
As a thank you for your generosity, we will put all your names into a draw and the winner (chosen by a computer-generated name selector) will have the choice of one of three paintings (sold at £285) by our very talented Dad, John Edwards. We will post a video of the name being drawn in a few weeks time.
The decision to do this was not taken lightly but we could no longer ignore so many kind offers of help. Emma is without a doubt, one of the bravest people I know and despite what life has thrown at her, she continues to smile and be an amazing mum to Max and Theo. A heartfelt thank you for taking the time to read Emma’s story and finding out more about CES. If you are donating too, thank you from the bottom of our hearts.
For more information on CES and how to recognise the warning signs, visit https://caudaequinauk.org.uk/cauda-equina-syndrome/
With love and thanks,
Jenny
(Emma's sister)
Emma’s Story
In late February, Emma underwent emergency surgery after an MRI showed a bulged and chipped spinal disc. She was later diagnosed with Cauda Equina Syndrome, a rare and extremely serious condition that describes extreme pressure and swelling of the nerves at the bottom of the spinal cord. CES requires emergency surgery, because the longer it goes untreated, the greater the damage. Sadly for Emma, the delay resulted in her now being paraplegic and unable to walk, with damage to both her bladder and bowel control. In addition to these life changing conditions, Emma has unrelated non-epileptic-seizures that leave her with both limited strength, mobility and general fatigue, all of which has an impact on how she copes with CES. Emma’s wheelchair choice and house adaptions are vitally important and currently, without the help of her husband and children, she could not cope independently. Even the simplest of tasks have become monumental.
How You Can Help
Whilst our target in no way will cover all of Emma’s required financial outlay (the majority will be paid for themselves, with some council funding and parental help) it would be amazing to lessen the burden of one of the most costly items on the list…the wheels! A wheelchair specific to Emma’s needs, together with the essential need for power assistance (with the offset of £350 pounds given by the council) will be between £7000 - £9000. Giving Emma her independence will be the greatest thing we can do for her so whatever money is donated, will go towards this.
Thank You
As a thank you for your generosity, we will put all your names into a draw and the winner (chosen by a computer-generated name selector) will have the choice of one of three paintings (sold at £285) by our very talented Dad, John Edwards. We will post a video of the name being drawn in a few weeks time.
The decision to do this was not taken lightly but we could no longer ignore so many kind offers of help. Emma is without a doubt, one of the bravest people I know and despite what life has thrown at her, she continues to smile and be an amazing mum to Max and Theo. A heartfelt thank you for taking the time to read Emma’s story and finding out more about CES. If you are donating too, thank you from the bottom of our hearts.
For more information on CES and how to recognise the warning signs, visit https://caudaequinauk.org.uk/cauda-equina-syndrome/
With love and thanks,
Jenny
(Emma's sister)
Organizer and beneficiary
Jenny Budgen
Organizer
John Edwards
Beneficiary