Paralysed Chorley teenager proves that life's an adventure (From Lancashire Telegraph)
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Paralysed Chorley teenager proves that life's an adventure
8:30am Saturday 14th July 2012 in Chorley
By Chris Gee, Reporter
Laura and friends on their Snowdon trek
A Chorley teenager, paralysed from the chest down as a result of mistakes during an operation, has proved that no height is too great after climbing Snowdon to raise funds for a spinal cord charity.
Laura May, 18, scaled the Welsh mountain’s 1,085 metres on Saturday with the help of 10 friends in support of the Back-Up charity.
Laura, of Kirkstall Close, is determined to live life to the full after winning a medical negligence case against Royal Preston Hospital in 2011.
Laura, a sixth form student, said: “I had very low confidence when this happened to me aged 11 and Back-Up were there to support me when I was in hospital. I have been involved with them ever since and have personally grown in confidence as they showed me that I could still live a full life and also helped me with practical things like how to deal with awkward questions about my disability.”
“I really wanted to give something back and show others in my position that you can still have a full, adventurous life.
“I had a great time with my friends’ support and am really pleased that we’ve raised £12,322 so far to help other teenagers.”
Laura was left paralysed for life in 2005 after surgery supposedly to correct a curve in her spine at Royal Preston Hospital went wrong.
She susequently won a seven figure sum in compensation after the hospital trust admitted liability.
