Finola is a fun loving teenager who loves singing, being part of society, having fun, socialising, going to the cinema. If you have met her then you will know she loves to live life. However she has had a hard start to life as she unfortunately had brain damage at birth. This can happen to anyone.... She did not breath for 5 minutes which resulted in damage to motor development/ speech/ physical development and slight sight damage (no side vision). This has resulted in that Finola is unable to sit unsupported, has curvature in her lower spine, requires assistance for all her physical daily needs. For her speech you have to 'tune in to it' and when not too tired is easily understood.
She is trapped in a body that will not work as she wants it to...
HAS THIS STOPPED FINOLA LIVING LIFE?
NO - Finola is a very gutsy young lady.... she has raised funds by ABSEILING out of her wheelchair raising funds for BOBATH SCOTLAND, a registered charity based in Glasgow that provides Bobath technique therapy to children suffering from Cerebral Palsy.
http://www.bobathscotland.org.uk/about.html
Finola in 2007 raised funds for ORCADIA CREATIVE LEARNING, a registered charity based at Portobello and her own Trust by ZIPWIRING out of her wheelchair.
http://www.orcadiaclc.co.uk/1624.html
Finola attends music sessions on a weekly basis at Orcadia and also the Summer Programmes and LOVES it!
SINCE FINDING OUT IN NOVEMBER 2007 that if Finola was to have a real opportunity of having an independant future and an appropriate further education, she and her single mother would have to raise such a huge amount of money.... she has been involved in many fundraising activities. She is also trying to help her own situation by painting and selling the artwork (Edinburgh Arts are now kindly selling it). She was commissioned to paint Christmas cards in 2008 for St Johns Church, Edinburgh and also Time Recruitment (see her newsletter 2008)
In 2008 she was pushed around the BUPA EDINBURGH GREAT RUN 4.5.09 plus the GLASOW FRESHNLO RUN 7.9.08 - we had a Finola Gathering where she hosted her very own table.
What is the latest news for Finola............ well get this............ she was only put on the spot at the recent FINOLA'S BIG NIGHT IN LEITH 10.4.09 by being asked to sing herself in front of the largest audience she has ever had....... and guess what she DID IT! She sang TAKE THAT - SHINE.... with a little bit of help from her friends, Ricky and Davie Breakfast show presenters on Leith FM (98.8).
Big thank you and WELL DONE FINOLA!