Finding My Feet Again - Fran's Fundraiser

Hi everyone,

I’ve set-up this fundraising page in the hope to raise money over the course of 2024/25 for a running blade and better prosthetics/sockets (that aren’t available on NHS).

Firstly, a little bit of background about me and my journey..

I was diagnosed with a rare sarcoma called Desmoid Fibromatosis (DF) in my left foot in May 2020, however, I’d be living with DF for about a year before this as I was mis-diagnosed a few times. The reason I was mis-diagnosed was because these tumours only affect 5-6 people per 1 million people, I’m very rare indeed! I immediately started chemotherapy but this wasn’t successful. There aren’t many treatment options for DF patients due to the lack of funding and lack of research.

The tumours underneath my foot grew very quickly and were eventually the size of a boiled egg (I’ve included some photos below), I was in so much pain, and unable to walk. I opted to have surgery in 2021 but I knew that it was very likely that the tumours would grow back. Unfortunately, they did and they grew back twice as aggressively. My whole left foot was now covered with tumours (like a web) which were wrapped around my bones and tendons. There were no treatments available that would get rid of the tumours so after discussing everything at length with my consultants at both Stanmore and UCLH, I decided that a below knee amputation would give me a better quality and a pain-free life. I had my surgery on 16th November 2023 and I was out of bed using crutches within 24-hours. I'm now nearly 6 months post-amputation which is crazy (time hasn't absolutely flown by).. I got my first prosthetic leg in February and am due to have a new socket in June as my little leg has shrunk a lot now that the swelling has gone down. The next 6 months will be very exciting!

As many of you know, I’m an extremely determined individual and I want to live the best life that I can as amputee and I want to achieve great things which is why these funds will help so much. I dream of being able to run again and walk properly with no pain. You can’t get a running blade on the NHS as an adult and they cost up to £10,000.00. You only receive one prosthetic leg on the NHS (the foot component, not the socket) and I have really struggled to find suitable shoes as an amputee, the foot that I have is set at a certain pitch which means I can only wear flat shoes. I would love to raise enough money to get an adjustable foot prosthetic which will allow me to wear heels and many different types of shoes. I'm very honest about the emotions that I've felt over the last few months as I've been adapting to life as an amputee and body image is something that I have massively struggled with, I would love to wear heels when I get married (for example) but at the moment, this wouldn't be possible with my current prosthetic leg. These types of prosthetic can cost up to £8,000.00 and new sockets cost around £5,000.00 privately.

Prior to my amputation, I was a very keen tennis player and had found a real passion for the sport, I gave wheelchair tennis a go before and just after my amputation but now that I'm back on my "feet", I have been playing Para-standing tennis which is essentially normal tennis but for amputees or individuals with certain disabilities. I’m hoping to start competing in June and have BIG goals for the future. Para-standing tennis is being recognised as a new Paralympic sport and the tournament in June will allow me to get a ranking. It's super exciting!

My other goal for the near future is to run a marathon and I hope to do this in 2026. I've started running on my current prosthetic leg as it does have a small blade but it's very heavy and bulky at the moment so it's not easy, however, I'm incredibly determined and all I can picture is running across the finish line of a marathon in a few years to come. A running blade will obviously enable me to run much easier so I will be having an initial consultation with a private clinic in the next few weeks to start that journey..

I’ve included a link to my Instagram where you can find loads of posts on my journey plus tennis and running updates.. instagram

I also have a TikTok because everyone does these days... tiktok

Please give me a follow and share this where you can!

Lastly, I want to say a HUGE thank you in advance for any donations, you have no idea how much it means to me and how much it will help me in the future. Without the support of friends and family I really don’t know how I would’ve got through the last 4 years.

Fran x

Youtube video below (please share this - here's the link: https://youtu.be/w948dCAtFuI)