
Just4Children are fundraising to give Carmela aged 6 from Market Lavington in Wiltshire every opportunity to thrive and lead a good quality childhood as her degenerative disease attacks her little body.
Carmela has a rare muscle wasting disease called LMNA Congenital Muscular Dystrophy which weakens the muscles including the heart and respiratory system with an average life expectancy of 16yrs.
Carmela needs ongoing funding help as she grows and the disease deteriorates her strength and health with specialist equipment to play sports and be active, physical and emotional therapy support and home/garden adaptions.
Carmela is still able to walk a bit with the help of her walker and full body lycra support suit under her daily clothes but relies on her powerchair to access her countryside, beach, inclines and uneven terrains. But her knees and ankles are now struggling to take her body weight due to the progressive muscle weakness so she will have full leg braces fitted to help her stay on her feet a bit longer to help maintain bone density and health before she relies on the wheelchair full time.
Carmela has also lost more upper body strength, especially her arms which has affected her ability to raise her arms so now she finds simple tasks like scratching her head, itching her nose and even washing teeth more challenging.
With all her obstacles she faces daily, Carmela still finds the inner strength to fight to stay mobile with a very happy disposition.