Riding high ... Evie Edwards from Elmsett who refuses to let her disabilities get in the way of her life.
AN inspirational teenager who has pursued her sporting dreams despite being unable to walk or stand has won national recognition.
Brave Evie Edwards will receive a Children of Courage award in front of a star-studded congregation at Westminster Abbey next week.
Thirteen-year-old Evie will be presented with the True Inspiration Award at the annual ceremony organised by Woman’s Own magazine.
The sports-mad youngster has overcome devastating disabilities to excel in swimming, athletics and riding, winning nine national gold medals in the past year.
She was born with Thrombocytopenia Absent Radius which causes shortened arms and a blood clotting deficiency, and forced her to walk with callipers from the age of two.
Then last year the Hadleigh High School pupil faced another massive blow when she unexpectedly lost her ability to walk and became confined to a wheelchair.
But she bounced back, declaring: “I’ve spent a week thinking about the things I can’t do any more. Now I’m going to spend the rest of my life thinking about what I can do.”
In the past 12 months she has won six gold medals and one silver at Disability Sports Events Swimming Nationals, and three golds and a bronze at the DSE Athletics Nationals.
She also came fourth in a national dressage competition run by Riding for Disabled.
Evie, who lives in Elmsett with mother Sue, father Evan, sister Bethany, 17, and brothers Joshua, 15 and Jacob, 10, has also raised money for other children who need wheelchairs by taking part in sponsored swims.
Special needs teacher Sue, who along with one of Evie’s swimming coaches nominated her for the Children of Courage award, said: “She is very excited about it. We are so proud of her.
“I am also very proud of her sister and brothers. They have helped make her what she is because they are so supportive.
“What makes her achievements even more notable is that her legs constantly dislocate when moved. During many of the competitions she’s had to endure a lot of pain but she refuses to give up.
“She is a truly inspirational girl, very optimistic and cheeky with a really dry sense of humour.
“She loves school and has a very good group of friends. One of her favourite activities there is the pottery club, and she has just taken up trampolining.”
Evie, who gets around in an electric-powered wheelchair, plans to go to university then train as a psychologist so she can help other people with disabilities come to terms with their problems.
Stars of Strictly Come Dancing, the X-Factor, and some of Britain’s favourite pop and soap personalities will be at the awards ceremony.
Before the presentations the winners will visit 10 Downing Street, and afterwards they will be guests of honour at a reception at the House of Lords.
The full article contains 486 words and appears in Suffolk Free Press newspaper.
Last Updated: 03 December 2008 10:32 AM . Source: Suffolk Free Press . Location: Sudbury
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Nice story.
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