Fundraiser for Sussex girl with devastating Spinal Scoliosis

Emily Climpson, 14, from Aldwick, led a very active lifestyle, participating in a wide variety of sports including gymnastics and running, but the pain of her condition has forced her to abandon most of her hobbies.

Her family are determined that Emily will continue to participate in her favourite sport which is sailing and have started a GoFundMe page to raise money to buy a specialist boat which would allow her to continue sailing without any pain.

Sailing is the only sport that Emily continues to participate in

Emily, who attends Bishop Luffa school in Chichester, said: “In the new boat I would be able to stay out for longer, take part in more races and do more events.

“Sailing is one of the hobbies I like the most because I had to stop running and gymnastics. Even though it hurts my back, I still want to do it because I enjoy it so much.”

Emily was diagnosed with spinal scoliosis, also known as a curvature of the spine, two years ago.

Emily was told that the curvature of her spine has worsened

She was originally told that her curvature was at 21 degrees, but during a recent visit to Portsmouth Hospital, Emily was told the curve in her spine had worsened and is now at 39 degrees.

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Her father, Chris Climpson, said: “It looks like at some point Emily will need to have an operation.

“There are two curves in her spine – one at the top and one at the bottom.

Emily's family have started a GoFundMe to help her get a new boat

“Even though she’s only 14, she is nearly six foot tall. She should be taller, but she can’t reach her full height because of the curve.

“She’s in constant pain and basically lives on pain killers.”

Emily hopes that training in her new boat will allow her to achieve her goal of teaching other young people with disabilities to sail.

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The new boat would give Emily more freedom to move around and allow her to take part in competitive events.

Emily’s mum Hayley Climpson said: “It just would be wonderful for her to be able to keep sailing fundamentally, it’s something that she enjoys so much.

“She absolutely loves it and it’s so important for us that she is able to do things that teenagers do, like seeing friends and just to do some exercise.

“It’s upsetting seeing her having to give up the things that she loves.

“She’s lucky if she can complete one race without coming off the water in floods of tears just because of the amount of pain that she is in.”

To donate to Emily’s fundraiser, visit https://ca.gofundme.com/f/help-emily-to-keep-on-sailing