Update on Milly 24th July 2012

It has now been 4 months since we ran the ‘Helping Milly Appeal’ and we wanted to say again how grateful we all are to every one who has supported us. Sam and Alex have been overwhelmed by the kindness and generosity of all those amazing people who have supported the appeal and also those who have written the most lovely letters and emails of support.

The appeal money is being used very wisely and carefully, and is making a massive difference to the family. Here are some examples of what the money has been used for so far:

The family have taken Milly on wonderful days out including: Lego land; twycross zoo; The London Natural history Museum; Cinema visits; lots of swimming trips, and Milly’s most favorite outing of all - horse riding a little shetland pony. Milly and Max have thoroughly enjoyed their adventures and outings as a family.

The appeal money has also been used to purchase some equipment for Milly to make her life easier as her physical condition requires it.  She gets very tired and some days she is not able to walk very far and now uses a wheel chair so she is able to carry on doing all the things she enjoys.

The Adkins family have managed to move to a lovely house in Woodford to be near their very supportive extended family.  Milly now has her own bedroom (In their previous house Milly shared a bedroom with her little brother Max) so in time to come when it is needed her medical care can be delivered to her at home.  The donations to the appeal have also been used to make Milly’s bedroom really pretty and have purchased for her a double bed so Alex and Sam can snuggle down with her when she needs company and cuddles.

Milly has now been registered severely visually impaired and her poor eyesight does mean that she trips over things that she cannot see.  Again the appeal has funded the garden machinery to make the garden safe so she can enjoy playing outside with Max and her dog Cookie without tripping or hurting herself.

Most importantly, the kindness of everybody who have supported the ‘helping Milly Appeal’ has given the family the priceless gift of being able to spend quality time together and for Sam to go to all the hospital appointments with the family.

Milly is amazing! Anyone who meets her is totally blown away by her bravery and courage.  She still has the ability to hug you so tight that you think your head will pop off ,and she copes so well with her progressing symptoms.  Milly now experiences headaches, nausea and vomiting. Alex and Sam have been advised that these are all symptoms are associated with the growth of the brain tumour but at present most of the symptoms are controlled by medication.

Milly has taught me so much and when I get caught up in my own little world and worry about trivia, I am reminded that there is a very special 9-year-old girl in Woodford who copes with more difficulties on a day-to-day basis than most adults experience in a life time and she never ever complains.

The family will keep you all informed via this email tree if anything changes.

But in the mean time – once again, thank you all so much for your kindness and support. Again we ask that if you see Milly  please be really careful what you say to her or around her as she does not know the situation and we do not want her to be frightened.  Thank you

Love Linda (family Friend)