A STUDENT with a rare blood disorder is celebrating her latest achievement. Ayeesha Javaid, 17, has accomplished the Duke of Edinburgh silver award against all odds.
The Greenhead College student suffers from a severe bleeding condition called Von Willebrands disease type 3, causing her to spontaneously bleed. She also has no bone marrow or immunity, leaving her open to infections. The teenager completed the tough challenge using a wheelchair and electric mobility scooter – guided by a specialist Kirklees Duke of Edinburgh team.
They ventured into the depths of Sherwood Forest, near Nottingham, on a three-day expedition. Ayeesha, of Crosland Moor, said: “These problems have never stopped me from achieving what I want to do.
“My body was aching but my mind kept on saying what fun this is and as the rain fell the trees glowed with greenery. “All I felt was happiness to be able to come and conquer my quest.
“I plan to carry on with the Duke of Edinburgh’s award and complete my gold award, and then take on the role of becoming a volunteer at the centres I visit. ”Ayeesha had to overcome several practical problems during the challenge resulting from her disability. The battery power in the hired scooter – designed more for shopping centres than rough woodland terrain – kept dying on her.
At one point, she had to be pushed back to the campsite by a local Scout group.But she persevered and achieved her aim.She added: “It was another struggle but with the help of such a great team I accomplished my goal.
The A-Level student – who needs daily injections of the clotting agent Factor Eight – now faces the same painful surgery she has to endure every year to check her bone marrow levels. Surgeons at Leeds General Infirmary will this month have to risk her bleeding to death when they crack a bone in her back.
It takes Ayeesha up to six months every time to recover from the crucial operation. She added: “I take the problems in my stride and try my best to tackle them.“It is quite scary to know that whatever circumstance I’m in I’m always against death but this makes me stronger and want to complete more challenges that come my way.“Life should be about spending time with people who make you laugh and feel part of something so huge that it makes you forget about your pain and that's what I wish to do.“The overall experience has been amazing.”disorder is celebrating her latest achievement.
Ayeesha Javaid, 17, has accomplished the Duke of Edinburgh silver award against all odds.
The Greenhead College student suffers from a severe bleeding condition called Von Willebrands disease type 3, causing her to spontaneously bleed.
She also has no bone marrow or immunity, leaving her open to infections.
The teenager completed the tough challenge using a wheelchair and electric mobility scooter – guided by a specialist Kirklees Duke of Edinburgh team.
They ventured into the depths of Sherwood Forest, near Nottingham, on a three-day expedition.
Ayeesha, of Crosland Moor, said: “These problems have never stopped me from achieving what I want to do.
“My body was aching but my mind kept on saying what fun this is and as the rain fell the trees glowed with greenery.
“All I felt was happiness to be able to come and conquer my quest.
“I plan to carry on with the Duke of Edinburgh’s award and complete my gold award, and then take on the role of becoming a volunteer at the centres I visit.”
Ayeesha had to overcome several practical problems during the challenge resulting from her disability.
The battery power in the hired scooter – designed more for shopping centres than rough woodland terrain – kept dying on her.
At one point, she had to be pushed back to the campsite by a local Scout group.
But she persevered and achieved her aim.
She added: “It was another struggle but with the help of such a great team I accomplished my goal.
The A-Level student – who needs daily injections of the clotting agent Factor Eight – now faces the same painful surgery she has to endure every year to check her bone marrow levels.
Surgeons at Leeds General Infirmary will this month have to risk her bleeding to death when they crack a bone in her back.
It takes Ayeesha up to six months every time to recover from the crucial operation.
She added: “I take the problems in my stride and try my best to tackle them.
“It is quite scary to know that whatever circumstance I’m in I’m always against death but this makes me stronger and want to complete more challenges that come my way.
“Life should be about spending time with people who make you laugh and feel part of something so huge that it makes you forget about your pain and that's what I wish to do.
“The overall experience has been amazing.”
