Brave Schoolgirl's New Challenge

from the Manchester News

A SCHOOLGIRL who is unable to walk or feed herself has become the first wheelchair user in Stockport to aim for the physically demanding Duke of Edinburgh Award.

Kate Ashworth, 14, has cerebral palsy, but has never let her disabilities get in the way of a normal life. She attends mainstream Marple Hall school in Stockport, and also canoes, hikes and skis.

Kate has spastic quadraplegia and even though all her limbs are affected she attends a health and beauty course at Stockport College. Now, even though she needs a specialised wheelchair so she can stand and sit up, Kate has added another string to her bow, by working towards the bronze Duke of Edinburgh Award.

She will have to complete all the tasks expected of an able-bodied person to achieve her goal including hiking, camping, skiing and climbing.

Her friends on the Duke of Edinburgh scheme say Kate always pushes herself and they are confident she will achieve the award.

Kate's grandmother, Pat Ayres, said: "Kate just loves life, she's very courageous because she's always in pain, but she never complains."

Taken from the Manchester News: http://www.manchesteronline.co.uk/news/stories/Detail_LinkStory=47679.html

---