Military charity medal for disabled young starlet


A nine-year-old aspiring actress from Lincolnshire, whose Dad serves in the
British Army, has been awarded a medal by military children’s charity,
Little Troopers.
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Hide AdIsobel Johnson has been awarded ‘Little Trooper of the Month’ for
overcoming adversity and showing bravery and determination in the face of
several lifelong health conditions.
Isobel suffers from Cerebral Palsy, Scoliosis and Arthrogryposis Multiplex
Congenita (AMC), a condition that causes severe clubfoot, limits the
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Hide Admovement in her joints and means that both of her legs are permanently
dislocated. She requires a wheelchair to move around, has to wear ankle
foot braces all the time and needs to do physiotherapy several times a day
to keep her joints moving. In the last nine years, she has undergone seven
operations on her feet and spent many months in casts.
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Hide AdLast year, Isobel was struggling to come to terms with her disability and
went through a low period where she became depressed about not being able
to walk and keep up with her peers.
Encouraged by her friends and family, she made the decision to not let her
disability hold her back. She had already taken up Korean martial arts in
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Hide Ad2020, and achieved a brown belt in Kuk Sool Won in June this year. She also
signed up to a talent agency and has done several modelling jobs for the
likes of Poundland, Aldi and Lego. She now hopes to become a famous actress
when she grows up.
Isobel has also made the brave decision not to go ahead with surgery to
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Hide Adhelp her to walk when she is older; the operation would be painful and
complicated and she would need further surgery later in life. This was a
very difficult decision to make because it affects her whole life.
Isobel’s Dad, Bradley, who nominated her for the award, explains: “We are
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Hide Adso proud of Isobel for how she has dealt with everything life has thrown at
her. Since taking up modelling, acting and martial arts, Isobel has grown
in confidence. She is very bubbly, and always wears a smile. Despite her
limited mobility, she is very active and she has learnt ways that she can
move around easily.”
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Hide Ad“She is really proud of her military connection, so when I saw that Little
Troopers ran an award-scheme for military children, I decided to put her
forward. She is over the moon to have won and it has given her a real
boost.”
Isobel said “ I was very happy to hear that I had been awarded ‘Little
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Hide AdTrooper of the Month’. I feel very honoured to receive this award, despite
many others who are having difficulties.”
Isobel will receive a medal, certificate and a £50 cinema voucher from
Little Troopers and she’s planning to take her sister and brother, Grace
and Jack, to see ‘Puss in Boots: The Last Wish’.
Louise Fetigan, founder of Little Troopers, said: “Our Little Trooper of
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Hide Adthe Month scheme is all about recognising children who have been through
exceptional circumstances, so when we read Isobel’s nomination she was our
clear winner this month. We loved hearing about her sheer determination in
the face of adversity and her positive outlook for the future. We can’t
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Hide Adwait to spot her on our TV screens and we wish her the best of luck with
her acting career.”
Little Troopers is a registered charity supporting children who have
parents serving in the British Armed Forces. The charity provides parents
and schools with resources to use with military children, as well as
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Hide Adrunning programmes and initiatives that bring forces children together. In
addition, the charity has just launched a new Therapy Programme funded by
the National Lottery Community Fund that will provide one-to-one therapy
and group therapy sessions to children in need of additional support. For
more information visit www.littletroopers.net
*Ends*
*Notes to Editor*
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Hide AdLittle Troopers is a registered charity supporting service children who
have parent(s) serving in our British Armed Forces, regular or reserve.
These children often face unique challenges including frequent house and
school moves, as well as regular periods of separation from their serving
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Hide Adparent(s) for varying lengths of time due to exercises, training,
operations and other service commitments.
As a charity, Little Troopers ensures our British Armed Forces children and
their families have access to child-focused support wherever they are in
the world and whatever community they live in. We provide fundamental
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Hide Adresources and initiatives to help ease repeated separation periods and keep
parent and child connected even when miles apart. We are the only charity
in the UK dedicated to celebrating just how special all our Little Troopers
out there really are.
For more information visit www.littletroopers.net
Kate Cashmore
PR & Media
Little Troopers
07800746814
www.littletroopers.net