Samantha Smith’s dad aims to raise £2,000 towards her next operation abroad

Samantha Smith’s dad is aiming to raise £2,000 towards the next operation to fuse his daughter’s spine.

To help raise the funds desperately needed, her dad, Philip Smith, from Wardle, will be doing a 120-km sponsored bike ride using a hand-powered cycle, due to his own mobility restrictions arising from arthritis and knee surgeries.

He said: “For quite a while, I have been trying to come up with a trial for myself to help raise funds and awareness of my daughter’s illness and upcoming surgery. The type of surgery required is not available in this country, but is life-saving and definitely life-changing.

“Unfortunately, the procedure used hasn't been as successful as we had hoped it would be and Samantha requires further surgery to fully fuse her cervical spine with the likelihood of even more surgery.”

After a work colleague joked that Philip should do a hand-powered cycle, he got in touch the British Disabled Cycling Centre and attended a 2.5 hour trial session.

Philip added: “I also met up with a number of inspiring young people who had their own disabilities to overcome, including Megan Giglia MBE, an inspirational young lady who is a British Paracyclist gold medal winner. She did offer to accompany on my bike ride, and if she is able, it would be an absolute honour.

“Although I haven't given myself a date to do the ride, my destination is likely to be York. My initial thoughts are October, but as the facilities to train are only available monthly I am unsure if this is realistic. I will need to be quite inventive with my training schedule in between, doing lots of upper body strength and stamina exercises. In addition, it depends upon Samantha's health and if we have to rush forward a surgery date.”

There is also the devastating possibility that psychotherapist Samantha, whose joints still continue to dislocate all over her body, will require a full spinal fusion, further removing all movement from her spine, head and neck.

To support Philip, visit:

https://www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/philip-smith-111?utm_id=92&utm_term=6GnXV6Y57

 

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Rochdale Online has closely followed psychotherapist Samantha’s journey since April 2017, when we broke the news of her desperate race to raise £150,000 for lifesaving neurosurgery, after her brain and spinal cord were being crushed under the weight of her own skull, due to a number of medical conditions such as EDS, unstable vertebrae and lack of connective tissue support between her skull and spine.

https://www.rochdaleonline.co.uk/news-features/2/news-headlines/112770/samantha-smith-needs-to-raise-another-%C2%A3150000-for-third-surgery

Samantha underwent three lifesaving operations that summer, but despite a high success rate, the surgeries failed to stabilise her upper vertebrae and head as expected.

Samantha was later given the devasting news that she will require another extensive and aggressive operation that will restrict all movement in her head and neck.

Once again, the £100,000 surgery is not available in the UK.

https://www.rochdaleonline.co.uk/news-features/2/news-headlines/118988/fundraising-restarted-for-samantha-smiths-third-surgery-abroad