Paying it forward is what 18-year-old Kerry Walsh hopes to do.
This is once she has completed fundraising for a new wheelchair by hosting a golf day at Houghton Golf Cub on 3 June.
Her need for a wheelchair started just before the age of one. “I was diagnosed with spinal muscular atrophy (SMA), this is a genetic disorder and I have never been able to walk. But I refuse to let that get me down. I want to be able to give back to those who may also need a wheelchair, and create awareness about SMA as there isn’t a lot of awareness about it in this country,” explained Walsh.
She further said that having this disease has meant that her family has to do a lot for her and that there are a lot of extra costs. “My family never complained or made a fuss about having to help me or about all the extra money we needed to get in order to pay for all my medical and educational needs – they just supported me.”
She was given a life expectancy of five years and is not considering slowing down in fighting. “Now I need a new wheelchair, so I’m going to do fundraising to buy the chair for myself. This new chair will help me get around and live a powerful future.”
She urges the community to assist in participating in the golf day so that she can continue in her quest of obtaining a new wheelchair and continue paying it forward.
Details: kez.walsh14@gmail.com