Shine

Thu, Jul 9th 2015 at 7:30 am - 8:30 am

Melissa and Gary Peacock shared their very moving story about raising their daughter Ashleigh who has spina bifida,


As a result of hearing about Ashleigh and her bravery Rotarian Jan Lee nominated Ashleigh for a "Courage Award".  Here is Jan's nomination:

I would very much like to nominate a very special person for the Courage award.

Ashleigh Peacock aged 18 was born with Spina Bifida.  In her short life she has had in excess of 20 operations to help her to overcome this serious disability.  The medics wrote her off even before she was born.  Her parents were told she would never walk and her quality of life would be very poor.  Her equally courageous parents never stopped believing their much loved daughter could and would overcome the negative prognosis they received.  When she was born, her legs were moving and this gave them hope.  This hope and optimism has never faded and they took on the medical establishment to challenge the predicted negative outcomes for their daughter, apparently no one knew what to do! 

Ashleigh is a beautiful, feisty, confident and talented young woman who has just succeeded in getting a college place to study photography.  She can walk, she can dance, she can function and she can succeed in whatever she attempts because of her innate courage and her refusal to 'give in'  She has been the victim of bullying, she has had schools refuse to take her because it's just too much trouble, she has heard medical professionals offer her no hope of a positive future but still she remains positive and courageous.  She is one of the most remarkable young people I have ever met and I really want as many people as possible to know of her courage against all the odds.  Please give her your consideration.

  This is the reply Jan received,

Thank you Jan

Ashleigh sounds thoroughly deserving of an Award. I am copying this message to Dave who will arrange details with you for Ashleigh and yourself to be filmed giving/receiving the Award on 24/25th July, if that's ok?

Thank you for nominating

Best wishes

Jenny

Looking forward to hearing what happened.