Young ballerina has freedom to dance thanks to sports prostheses
- 11.04.2018
- EmmaArnold
- Personal-injury, Personal-injury
When Pollyanna was two years old, she was involved in an accident with a bus which resulted in her losing her leg.
Whilst en route to meet her new baby cousin in hospital with her mother and grandmother, a bus drove onto the pavement at the bus depot leaving her mother under the bus and sadly killing her grandmother instantly.
Pollyanna has grown up as a child amputee, having to undergo multiple operations and managing two new prosthetic legs every year.
After watching the London Paralympics in 2012, Pollyanna and her family were amazed by the athletes' running blades.
Pollyanna's mother, Sarah, asked the NHS provider if a blade would be possible for Pollyanna as she loved to dance but they said no.
After writing to the Chancellor and through campaigning, Sarah's efforts helped create a £1.5m fund to help children with amputations.
Richard Edwards, senior solicitor at Potter Rees Dolan, said:
It is great to see the courage of Pollyanna in confronting and coming to terms with such a traumatic event. Not only that, she has shown great spirit in campaigning to persuade the government to set up this fund that will hopefully bring some much needed prosthetic equipment to child amputees.
It is vitally important that all amputees are helped to participate fully in society. It’s not only crucial that they can do so for their well-being but the health benefits are obvious too. This fund is a step in the right direction but the government really must do a good deal more if it is to meet the needs of all amputees.
It’s unfortunate that Pollyanna and her family have had to fight so hard to get what should be standard equipment for her. In my experience it is only amputees who have viable clams who are able to access all the prosthetic equipment they need to enjoy life to the full.
Richard is Group Secretary of ACSIL the Amputation Charity and has dealt with many clients who have had a limb amputated. He also appeared on Radio 5 Live where he commented on the dangers of the recycling industry.
Richard Edwards is a senior personal injury solicitor with Potter Rees Dolan. Should you have any queries about amputation injuries or any other personal injury issues and wish to speak to Richard or any other member of the team please contact us on 0161 237 5888 or email Richard through the contact form here.