The Phoenix – June 2016 Page 31 IN REMEMBRANCE OF
CAMARA’S SPOTLIGHT
MUHAMMAD ALI
Esha Ilyas
I
n this months’ spotlight, I would like to introduce you to 12 year old Esha Ilyas whom I love and admire so much, not only because of her bravery but because of her incredible tenacity. She is a role model to both the old and the young, she had a dream and went full out to achieve it. The constant pain and years of hospital visits since being diagnosed at just 18 months old. I struggled to remember when and where Esha and I first met. I spoke with Esha’s mother Manisha and she reminded me of wonderful memories that were created over the years. I was recommended to Esha’s parents by organiser Jonathan Morris of the International Day of Disabled People in Barking and Dagenham, someone I had supported with performances over the years. The first IDDP fundraiser dinner and dance kicked off and I met Esha for the first time. I remember being blown away by a tiny little girl who had the biggest smile and the most positive attitude. Around this time, Esha was
Welcome to ‘Camara features’ a new column where I will be spotlighting some of the most amazing charities, organisations and people I have had the privilege of working with. Be a part of my journey and learn and enjoy about being inspired. excited with the prospect of preparing for secondary school at Loxford School of Science and Technology, her dream was to be able to do things by herself - to swim and to walk to school with her friends. Manisha recalls watching her daughter with an incredibly pleased as punch face, glowing while riding her pony called Blaze. For many, it was hard to believe that at that time Esha had cerebral palsy. In Esha’s case, her muscles – partic- l Esha Ilyas and her mother Manisha aim of this intensive treatment ularly those in her legs – were excessively tight, is not to get children riding, but which prevented her full range to use the shape and gait of the of movement while weakness horse as a therapeutic tool – to in other muscles that normally stimulate muscle tone, relax stiff maintain posture meant she had joints and improve balance, posproblems holding herself up- ture and walking ability. Manisha recalls hippotherapy right. Hippotherapy, simply treat- as Esha’s hobby and above all ment with the help of the horse, else, it helped bring joy into her is carried out by physiotherapists daughter’s life. As a result, Esha and children trained in equine physiology, the like her are better able to cope with the tasks of daily living such as making a cup of tea! The physio ha not just improved balance and posture, it gave Esha a passion for horses and riding, one of her favourite places to ride, Chigwell Centre’s 140-acre nature reserve. Esha’s dream to walk unaided was a light at the end of a tunnel. September 2013 her parents found out that
l Esha Ilyas there was surgery that could enable Esha to walk without her frame, but NHS England would not fund the Selective Dorsal Rhizotomy surgery. This special surgery is where the nerves between the muscles and spinal cord are cut to loosen muscles which would improve her posture, balance and movement. Hospital doctors recommended that Esha undergo surgery before she turned 11. The cost, a massive £36,000! Although this was a daunting figure to raise, with the help of friends, family and the com-
munity - fundraising began and so did Esha’s positivity and her Dream To Walk. The surgery at Great Ormond Street Hospital and physiotherapy was soon to begin. As the fund-raising campaign gathered its momentum, the strength from family, friends and the community grew. The reward tireless work and organizing that became a part of her families’ life. And now two years on, her parents views is that it was all totally worth it! It has changed Esha’s life in many ways. She wanted to be able to walk into school without her frame and she can do that now. Esha’s parents took her to Dubai, whereas before this time, she could not walk on sand but they took her to the beach while they were there and she was able to walk. Although like everything, she
found it a bit of a challenge, but with determination, she did it and was so happy that she was able to play independently on the beach. Only three months after surgery Esha began secondary school. PE teachers watched Esha grow stronger and more active during lessons and her parents received letters from the department congratulating Esha on her progress. The donations and support have now enabled Esha to walk in the swimming pool and kick her legs which she was unable to do previously! Manisha repeats her thanks to everyone who helped them with allowing Esha’s dream to be fulfilled. “Not only our nearest and dearest but especially the people we had never met before who also helped our journey become more bearable. Every penny was appreciated, every prayer, every single person who offered to be a part and helped towards reaching the goal. You are all always in our prayers and your support will never be forgotten. The journey to make sure our daughter could achieve her dream was both emotional and exciting, we cannot be thankful enough to see that Esha is now able to do and take part in everyday things she was unable to do before. Esha’s progress and the change in her is a true miracle and she continues to grow stronger, her confidence has grown and she is definitely having a better quality of life. Seeing her walk into the school gates with a smile on her face makes it all worth it.” Esha continues to encourage everyone with her story. “I can’t believe there were so many nice people who wanted to help me. I can do much more now than I could imagine. It’s so much fun playing Just Dance on the Wii and walking when I go shopping. It was my dream and it came true. Who says dreams don’t come true, mine did.” I am encouraged by strong young people like Esha and by those who support them! Follow Esha online and continue to support with therapy at: www.eshasdreamtowalk.org. uk Twitter: @EshasDream Facebook: www.facebook. com/eshasdreamtowalk
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