MELISSA'S MOUNT MERU CHALLENGE

My name is Melissa I have a rare genetic condition called Angelman Syndrome that mainly affects my nervous system.

I suffered with sever reflux and colic from birth which resulted in problems with pain and difficulty feeding, I was unable to sit up and had limited trunk support for the first few years of my life and was diagnosed with AS when I was 3 years old, I have many problems including Epilepsy, mobility problems, severe intellectual and developmental disability, limited motor skills and a poor sleep pattern, also I cannot speak, I need constant supervision and help with eating and toileting and will need 24 hour care for life.

But even with my many issues I am always smiling, my campaign is to raise awareness of AS and show disabilities need not be a barrier to achieving goals but more a challenge to discover how to get there.

My doctors said I would probably never walk or be able to achieve much, but I was determined to prove them wrong.

I have Femoral Anteversion which means there is a twist in my thigh bones, they turn inward and I fall frequently and have problems with my balance and coordination but I am so determined, I have completed many miles in my fundraising efforts often using my wheelchair.

In September I will be travelling to Tanzania together with my family taking on my biggest challenge to date, to reach the summit of Mount Meru in my All terrain wheelchair. We will be supported by a Tour operator based in Tanzania who have teams who have helped other wheelchair users to achieve amazing challenge.

Meru stands at 4562m and I will have a team of 5 porters to support just me and help when needed with my chair to reach the summit, this will be an epic challenge and as you can imagine not a cheap adventure so any support you can offer will be very gratefully accepted.

Any funds left after the costs of the trek have been covered I will be donating them to a charity in Tanzania to give something back to the country which supported my challenge to raise awareness of Angelman Syndrome and cross the first item on my Bucket List.

There are sponsorship opportunities available if anyone is interested, please ask for more details.

Much love and Angel hugs

Melissa x