Hi, I'm Amanda, and I have Col6 Congenital Muscular Dystrophy, a muscle-wasting condition that has been slowly stealing strength from me over the years.

These days, I can still walk around my house and get about the office at work, but for most of my day-to-day life I use a wheelchair. Don't get me wrong, my wheelchair is brilliant and gives me a huge amount of freedom. But if you've ever had the choice between walking and not walking, you'll understand why I'd love to do more of it.

The thing is, I'm not exactly known for sitting still.

I play snare drum with my local pipe band. I compete in target shooting. I ride an adaptive mountain bike. I love travelling, adventures, exploring new places, and generally seeing what trouble I can get myself into next.

So when I got the chance to trial the Agilik robotic leg braces, I jumped at it.

And wow.

These braces don't walk for me. They're not some sci-fi robot suit that does all the work while I stand there looking important. They support the muscles I still have, helping keep my legs in the right position and giving me a little boost with each step.

My muscles are still doing the work. The technology just helps me do it better.

The difference was obvious almost immediately. I was walking faster, using less energy, and feeling less exhausted with every step. For someone with a progressive muscle condition, that's a pretty incredible feeling.

Walking isn't just about getting around either. It's good for digestion, breathing, circulation, muscle health, and overall wellbeing. The more I can keep moving, the better.

But if I'm honest, the best part isn't medical.

It's being able to walk beside my friends and family instead of rolling behind them.

It's standing shoulder to shoulder with people.

It's looking people in the eye during conversations instead of becoming an expert on belt buckles, jacket zips, and the occasional awkwardly close backside.

It's feeling a little more like me.

The challenge is that the Agilik braces cost around £60,000. That's a life-changing amount of money and, unfortunately, a life-changing amount that I simply can't afford on my own.

So I'm asking for help.

Every donation, no matter the amount, gets me closer to more independence, more movement, better health, and more opportunities to keep doing the things I love.

If you can't donate, sharing this page is every bit as appreciated.

Thank you for reading, for supporting me, and for helping me take a few thousand more steps than I could on my own.