A team of Megan’s Wish supporters climbed the Mourne Mountains to raise funds for the charity and to promote scoliosis awareness.
The team reached the peaks of greatness last Saturday (27th July) with minutes of daylight to spare.
The team of eight, consisting of parents and volunteers and led by Lea Vaughan from Forest Fitness in Carrickfergus, started their climb just after 6pm.
All eight reached the peak just after 9:30pm on Saturday night. They made their way back to the Saddle to camp out and get ready to take on their next climb of Slieve Commedagh on Sunday morning.
Half the team started out at 6am whilst the other half made their way down. Determination, motivation and raising awareness of scoliosis was the key factor on this weekend.
Laura, a parent of a child living with scoliosis took part.
“For years we have climbed mountains for our kids to get them the treatment they need. This charity is literally climbing to the top. The sky is the limit and we will stop at nothing to provide kids in Northern Ireland with the support they need,’ she said.
Karen, the founder of Megan’s Wish said that raising awareness of scoliosis is paramount in Northern Ireland.
“Not many people know of this illness and the symptoms and signs. We ask all parent to do some quick research of signs and symptoms of scoliosis. During the summer is the time to check your children. If you see any of the signs – one shoulder blade higher, waist uneven, rib hump go and speak to your GP and get a referral,” she said.
Karen said early diagnosis is key and there are a number of treatments before surgery that can be trialed.
“Don’t leave it too late when surgery is the only intervention – Megan’s Wish was formed when we received a diagnoses for my daughter we had no support at all. We didn’t know what this ‘scoliosis was.
“We were frightened and scared of the future. We are here to help other families through this. It’s not the end. It is serious but it can be ‘fixed’ and we will move mountains to help secure the right treatment for our children in Northern Ireland,” she added.
She also congratulated the teams who reached the summits of Donard and Commedagh.
Scoliosis is a curvature of the spine and is ‘s’ or ‘c’ shaped. Many children endure hours of surgery to have fusion surgery where their spine is attached to rods and held with screws. This surgery is lifesaving and does change a child’s life. Around 1500 children are living with scoliosis with hundreds on the waiting list for surgery.
Megan’s Wish will help any child in Northern Ireland from 0-17 years of age who are living with scoliosis.
They will work towards improving the quality of life for young people and their community and assist and promote social activities for recreation, education, training and enjoyment and encourage a community spirit and sense of responsibility for the young people and their families.
If you would like more information on Megan’s Wish please follow their Facebook page to keep up to date with all the events that they have planned. Everyone is made welcome and they will help, support and guide as many families that they can.
Karen added that she wanted to thank Lea at Forest Fitness.
https://www.facebook.com/meganswish1/