Jazz Turner Fundraiser

We recently met a remarkable young lady called Jazz Turner who came to Gatwick's STEM Centre to give a talk to students.

Using the word 'remarkable' to describe Jazz is actually an understatement, as her courage, determination and positive outlook is incredible when you consider what she has experienced and continues to go through.

Jazz started life in an abusive household, after which she went through the foster care system.

Jazz was born with a condition called Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome, which was only diagnosed when she was 18, up until that point she thought the pain she lived with was normal. Due to not being diagnosed with EDS for years Jazz's body essentially collapsed and it transpired that she had had multiple dislocations and had been walking on broken ankles for years. Jazz had bone fragments wedged in her ankles, making them collapse and unable to bear her body weight.

After seeing an orthopaedic specialist, and three surgeries later, removing the bone from her ankles meant her ankles were now really unstable. That, combined with both her ATFL ligaments snapping, meant she was now forced to become a wheelchair user.

There is a vast spectrum of EDS – unfortunately Jaz has the worst of it and as a result suffers with being IV fed.

There are many other heart breaking parts to Jazz's story, one being her life expectancy is short, there is every chance Jazz may not be here this time next year.

One of the positives in Jazz's world is sailing! She has been sailing for years and adores it and is very accomplished at it.

Jazz is currently raising the funds to buy a hansa 303 access dinghy for her local sailability group, Newhaven and Seaford Sailability (NSS). This is a boat that can be used for people with any disability to experience the joy and freedom of sailing. The volunteer led group is currently oversubscribed and is limited by the number of usable boats they have access to.

As a small group access to funding is limited and so Jazz is raising the money to buy the boat on behalf of NSS. This is particularly important to Jazz as a disabled full time wheelchair user who has first hand experience of the benefits of sailing.

In order to raise money Jazz has been walking the South Downs Way from Winchester to Eastbourne covering the 160km route in her manual mountain trike.

Along the way she has been supported by her assistance dog phoebe as well as volunteers from NSS (as she needs all the support she can get to cope with all the massive hills).

Understandably this has been a huge challenge for Jazz due to her terminal condition meaning her health is deteriorating rapidly.

A group of Gatwick colleagues will be walking with Jazz on the 26th June in a bid to raise funds to go towards that all important boat.

We only met Jazz yesterday and she is keen to complete her South Downs challenge by her 26th birthday on the 8th July, hence why this is very rushed.

Please help us support Jazz with her incredible ambition and give what you can.