THE FAMILY of a trail-blazing rugby player are calling on Silhillians to help fund specialist treatment to get her match fit once again.
Lola Hammond was an active, sociable, and sporty teenager who had just completed her GCSEs and begun her A-levels, dreaming of studying medicine at university.
She loved spending time with friends, staying active, and had recently discovered a passion for rugby.
And after just a few months in the sport, she achieved county-level selection and proudly played for Warwickshire.
In March, during a normal rugby march, the 17-year-old suffered what seemed like a minor injury when another player accidentally stepped on her foot with studs.
But unbeknown to Lola and her family this was the start of a string of appointments and tests to find out why she was in so much pain.
Lola was diagnosed with Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS).
According to the NHS, CRPS is a poorly understood condition where a person experiences persistent severe and debilitating pain. It added the pain typically affects only one limb, but it can also spread to other parts of the body.
Writing on her Go Fund Me page Lola’s family member, Julie Linnett, said: “The condition has taken away so much of Lola’s independence and joy for life.
“She now experiences constant, excruciating pain in her feet, legs, hands, wrists, tummy, neck, back and head.
“It also impacts her breathing at times.
“As Lola has deteriorated she’s having more days where most of it is spent in bed.
“Some days she cannot do simple daily tasks like opening a bottle of water, use a knife and fork or clean her teeth as her wrists and hands are so painful. Even on her better days, her pain never falls below 7 out of 10 on the pain scale.”
While the condition has no known cure, the family is seeking treatment options at the Spero Clinic in Arkansas, in America.
So far they have raised a whopping £70,000 to help cover the costs of the treatment, flights and accommodation.
Julie added: “The Spero Clinic offers an intensive multi-disciplinary rehabilitation programme that typically lasts 16 to 22 weeks.
“One family we met from Solihull shared that their treatment cost around £100,000, but their child’s life was completely transformed.
“We are now desperate to give Lola the same chance — a chance to reclaim her life, her dreams, and her future. The cost of treatment, travel, and accommodation is far beyond what we can afford alone, and we are reaching out for any support you can offer
“Every donation, no matter how small, brings us one step closer to helping Lola live without constant pain.”
For more or to donate click here.
