Walking for Julka

On the 6 of April I will be leaving Seville and attempt to walk 980.7km to Santiago de Compostella via the Via de la Plata and the Camino Sanabrés (both form part of the ‘Way of St. James’ to Santiago). The motivation is a personal one, but it gives me the opportunity to raise funds to help others, in this case Julka.

Julka is a young Polish girl, nearly two years old, who was born with fibular hemimelia. It means that she simply lacks fibula bones. Also calcaneus (heel bone), talus bones and metatarsal bones are missing.

Until very recently the only solution was the amputation of limbs and use of prosthesis. Nowadays, there is a way to save Julka's legs. Dr Paley at Paley Advanced Limb Lengthening Institute in the United States successfully operates similar conditions. The kids operated by Dr Paley got on their feet, walk and even run. Thankfully, the costs of surgery in the United States have now been raised through a wonderful fundraising effort. Nevertheless, further monies are needed to pay for post-surgery rehabilitation. More information on Julka can be found here: http://julkapiskorska.pl/en/.

It would be wonderful if you could make a donation, however little, to this worthwhile cause. The goal is 980 euros and 70 cents – 1 euro for each kilometre - it is a massive amount, but big things are always achieved by lots of small steps. Each cent you donate brings us closer to the goal, and the goal is that hopefully one day Julka can walk.