In February 2011, then Brigstock resident, Kathryn Clarke, had a serious road traffic accident, causing her non-life sustainable brain and neck injuries. She was airlifted to Walsgrave University Hospital, Coventry, put in an induced coma, expected to be left quadriplegic, with locked-in syndrome and unable to breathe by herself. Kathryn had a metal plate put into her neck, holding her skull onto her spine. Four months later, she was transferred to Royal Leamington Spa Rehabilitation Hospital where she continued her rehab for eleven months.
Kathryn’s and her husband, Nic, ran their own company ‘Against the Grain’. Their two children were very young at the time, and they learnt the hard way that life can change in a split second. In the weeks and months after the accident they struggled to find out information on what they, as a family, were entitled to in terms of benefits, emotional and financial support. With no insurance pay out and in order to raise awareness and funds for therapy for Kathryn and others in similar positions, they have set up the Kathryn Clarke Foundation.
Kathryn has defied all medical odds and is learning to do basic day-to-day things everyone takes for granted. She currently needs a wheelchair for mobility though her long term goal is to walk again and she is doing everything in her power to make this a reality. Kathryn’s positive outlook and dogged determination have earned her interviews with several magazines and were instrumental in winning her the Venus Award earlier this year. She is writing a book about her experience and is currently busy making a calendar for 2018 to raise funds for her foundation.
One of the many friends who have supported Kathryn and her family throughout their ordeal is Christine Porter, who plans to climb a mountain in aid of Kathryn’s foundation. On Saturday 3rd December, Christine will climb Kinder Scout, the tallest peak in the Peak District, which is where she was on holiday when she learnt about Kathryn’s tragic accident. Christine is not a keep-fit fanatic and the eight-hour climb will be a challenge – a metaphorical one of that Kathryn faces every single day. The money raised will go towards Kathryn’s private physio and hydrotherapy treatments required to get her back to walking.
If you would like to sponsor Christine in her challenge, please visit Kathryn’s website for further details. You can also follow and support Kathryn directly via her Facebook page and website, linked to a PayPal account.
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