Kathryn and co are sew special
A YOUNG woman who was told as a child she would never be able to walk properly or lead a regular life has taken the first steps to realising her dream.
Kathryn McKerracher (29) was born with an umbilical hernia and a left foot so badly twisted that it took four operations, before the age of three, to give her a chance of walking.
Kathryn had been diagnosed with the rare and complex medical condition known as Chromosome 18, and for many years her family's life revolved around hospital visits.
But Kathryn, from Twechar, was also born with a determination to succeed and desperately wanted to become a scientist.
Though few believed it possible, she is the first person with a Chromosome 18 disorder to have achieved a university education, gaining a coveted MRes degree in bioinfomatics and a masters degree in medical genetics from Glasgow Uni.
Now Kathryn and her family are planning to stage the first European conference about Chromosome 18 later this year in Glasgow.
Her mother Bonnie said: "Chromosome 18 disorders are so rare that families whose children are affected may never meet another affected person.
"We've been travelling to the United States for the past nine years to attend the annual family conference there.
"It's the one time of year Kathryn meets other people who live with the same challenges she faces every day.
"For a few days she has friends she hangs out with and we learn more about how we can help her and others like her.
"While it has been a strain on the family finances, we've managed to get there most years, but for many families such a trip is impossible."
So the McKerracher women helped found Chromosome 18 Europe, to enable families to get together to learn more about the condition.
The group currently has more than 100 members in 15 countries and the conference is planned for the end of July in Glasgow. The event will cost around 20,000 to stage and a major fundraising campaign is underway.
A sponsored sew was held last Saturday and raised around 1,000 for the conference.
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Weather for Kirkintilloch
Thursday 24 May 2012
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