A HEROIC ten-year-old girl who was forced to use a wheelchair for most of her life has learned to walk again after a life-changing operation.
Jamie Brodie, from Benfleet, has faced a series of challenges, including an ADHD diagnosis, malformations in her brain and skull, as well as being flat-footed.
After using a wheelchair for years, Jamie underwent “hind foot surgery” on one of her legs in 2022 which has allowed her, thanks to extensive physiotherapy, learn how to walk.
The surgery successfully alleviated the lack of movement in her foot and corrected the foot deformity.
Heroic: Jamie will undertake the challenge just months after re-learning to walk. (Image: Leigh Brodie)
Now, to mark her miraculous journey towards recovery, the 10-year-old is completing a 5k run for disabled and special needs children.
She will be joined in the run by her personal trainer, Ben Hampson, who has known her since she was seven and has been with her every step of her recovery.
Jamie’s mother, Leigh, 35, said: “She makes me realise that there’s so many things we take for granted in life, like walking.
“When she pitched the idea to me, I couldn’t have been prouder of the person she’s becoming.
“She has spent most of her life in a cast and is still scared that she might break her other ankle.
“Despite this, she’s still going ahead with it and doing a lot of work in the gym and at school to prepare.
“After everything she’s been through, she still thinks of others.”
Heroic: Jamie will undertake the challenge just months after re-learning to walk. (Image: Leigh Brodie)
This is only the third summer that Jamie has spent without a cast on her leg after a series of ankle fractures throughout her childhood.
It was during this tough time that Leigh and Jamie discovered Ronnies Way and met families facing similar struggles.
The group organises activities for special needs children and their families, including visits to the zoo while giving parents a safe space to share their stories.
Leigh said the group provided her with a “lifeline” amid the chaos.
Jamie is still waiting to have another surgery on her right leg which will put her in a cast again before she regains her strength.
Leigh has said her daughter’s main goal is to be able to run the London marathon one day.
Jamie will take on the challenge at Chelmsford on July 14 to raise money for Ronnies Way, a group that runs events for children and adults with special needs and their families.
To donate and help Jamie, visit: https://www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/leigh-brodie?
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here