A Beeston teenager who learned to walk again during three years of rehabilitation from an operation has won a county-wide award for youth achievement.
Kaitlin Rose, from Beeston, has cerebral palsy affecting her her muscle control and movement in her legs and eyes.
But the 15-year-old is credited with facing every challenge with a positive outlook and has remained active in school through years of treatment, including procedures which have needed months of therapy to regain movement.
She was the overall winner in the annual 4Uth Awards, held by Nottinghamshire County Council on Friday (October 27).
Six other young people were praised for their achievements and received district awards in the ceremony at County Hall, West Bridgford.
Kaitlin was nominated for the award by Paul Race, a council youth worker. She lives at home with her mum Claire and sisters Charlotte, 17, and Summer, seven.
She said: “I have had cerebral palsy ever since I was little and I have not been able to do some of the things I have always wanted to do. I wish I could do stuff normally like everyone else but with my condition it is hard. I am over joyed and really, really happy to have won.”
Nottinghamshire County Council Leader Councillor Kay Cutts, said: “Kaitlin has always been cheerful, always willing to help, always there when a hand was needed. She has raised money for other people and in spite of her personal difficulties she has come through smiling and I am quite sure she will have a career ahead of her that is going to recognise those things.
“For all the problems she has had, she comes across as a very positive person who enjoys life and gets the most out of life, is friendly with the other students, and tries really hard to get on with everyone.
“She can never know the difference that she is making to other people’s lives because everyone is often unconfident but Kaitlin with her shining eyes, winning smile and the way she conducts herself with a positivity and energy must be such an example to everyone.”
Councillor Tracey Taylor, vice-chairman of the council’s Children and Young People Committee, said: “What particularly stood out for me is that she is such a young nominee and the things that she has done in her short life already, and the things that she has faced already.
“Not only is she learning and going through dealing with her illness, but every time she goes through surgery, she has to learn to do so many things again and I thought it was admirable that not only does she rebuild her life but she is actually working for other people as well.”
Jack Heald, chairman of Nottinghamshire Young People’s Board said: “Kaitlin has inspired me with the perseverance she has shown with everything she has gone through. Not only has she been through a lot and persevered but she is always positive and is living life to the best she can.”
The other six district winners were:
Ashfield: Connor Sharman – has overcome significant personal problems and been a carer for loved ones in his family.
Bassetlaw: Ellie-May Bott – a tireless fundraiser for local charities who won Britain’s Junior Miss Eco award.
Gedling: Sam Watson – young footballer who has overcome personal tragedy in his life and has played and trained at St George’s Park, the FA’s national football centre.
Mansfield: Ebony Pearson – a young carer who looks after both her parents and supports her brother alongside her academic studies.
Newark and Sherwood: Leah Pearson – a swimmer who does not let her condition, Elhers Danlos Syndrome, get in the way of succeeding in the pool.
Rushcliffe: Jacob Hill – has OCD and depression but has succeeded academically, gained full-time employment and is very active at his local young people’s centre.
