A Home for Ashleigh

ASHLEIGH LOWTHER

Ashleigh was born on the 16th of December 1987

Ashleigh developed diabetes at 2 years of age. Since then Ashleigh’s diabetes has been controlled by daily injections of insulin.

In her early teens, other health problems began. Ashleigh developed celiac’s disease as well as glaucoma. Last year Ashleigh’s kidney’s started to deteriorate as well.

It has been difficult to control Ashleigh’s diabetes throughout her life, as she has daily ups and downs in her sugar levels. Because of this, about 4 years ago it seriously began to affect her eyesight.

Her eyesight was getting less and less, and over the period of the last 3 years, Ashleigh has had to have 22 operations on her eyes, to try and save her eyesight. Unfortunately in May 2014 Ashleigh woke up one morning to find herself completely blind. Since that time the doctors have had to remove one eye, and now she has to have the remaining eye removed in the future.

The 22 operations Ashleigh has been through, have made her very sick (vomiting frequently) and has also affected her balance.

Ashleigh had to leave her flatting situation around 4 years ago as with her eyesight deteriorating at that stage, and her diabetes being hard to control, it was thought best that she go and live in the two room sleepout in the backyard of her mothers and stepfathers house. It has been easier for Ashleigh living in the sleepout because her mother helps her with her washing, sorting her clothes, and taking her shopping, to the Doctors, and with anything else Ashleigh needs. The one thing about living out the back is that it is difficult for her, to get from her place, to the main house.

Presently Ashleigh has a string line, running from her sleepout, to the house, which she has to use when she needs to go to the toilet, to have a shower, and to help with cooking. We want to change that for her.

Its quite hard for Ashleigh in the winter months, especially when it is raining and cold or even worse when it is snowing and icy.

It would be amazing for Ashleigh to have her own bathroom and small kitchen area added to the sleep out, so that besides not having to freeze in winter when she needs to use the toilet, or find her way into the house, it would give her back more of her independence, and would help her to become more self sufficient.

Ashleigh’s family have their own financial pressures, and have put all the money they can in themselves, to starting this project, to help make this situation any better than what it is. The job is partially done and costs have spiraled upwards, but due to the extreme winter conditions and the severity of Ashleighs situation we want to resolve this as quickly as possible, If anyone can help in this instance, it would be extremely appreciated, and the family would be so grateful for Ashleigh to have

some normality, in her life. Please, Give a Little - every bit counts to make a life changing difference to Ashleigh.