Emma Dolan-Horlock from Liverpool, who has been unable to site for stand for six years, prompted a huge response from supporters all over the world after setting up an appeal to help fund her rehabilitation
A Just Giving page set up to help fund the rehabilitation of a Liverpool woman left unable to sit or stand for the past six years has hit its £30,000 target in less than a week.
Emma Dolan-Horlock, from Sefton Park, prompted a huge response from supporters all over the world, receiving more than 1,000 donations ranging from £2 to £1,000 hit Emma’s target of £30,000+ for rehabilitation therapy and a stretcher in one week.
The 46-year-old has chronicled her journey in a blog #diaryofahorizontalgirl via her Twitter page @JustMissEmma. She says her followers have helped keep her going, especially during lockdown when restrictions have meant that visitors have been seriously limited.
Emma took the difficult decision to start fundraising after being told that much-needed residential rehabilitation she was due to receive in 2020, which was cancelled due to COVID-19, would now be postponed for a further 14-18 months.
She knew that to have any meaningful chance of being positively rehabilitated, her body could not wait another year to begin repairing the damage already caused by her complex medical conditions.
Donations will allow her to pay for private therapy with an eminent specialist in London, which will give her the best chance of stopping any further deterioration before she is eligible for the delayed residential therapy.
Emma said “I am literally blown away by people’s kindness, support and generosity. I am a very proud person and taking the decision to launch a Just Giving Page was a painful one and a bitter pill to swallow, but I know that if I wait for 14-18 months my body will be too sick to stand any chance of having any form of meaningful rehabilitation.
“Spending days lying flat on your back, especially with COVID lockdown restrictions in place and visitors not allowed I have built up quite a rapport with the followers on my Twitter account, many of whom have become friends and supporters andhave often suggested that I set up a Just Giving page.
“When I launched my appeal out of frustrations and desperation I genuinely had no idea it would receive the response it did. I am humbled at people’s kindness and literally cried with joy for 24 hours when we hit the target.”