Mum's plea to help daughter walk

A BRAVE single mother is fighting to give her disabled daughter the chance to walk.
Saira Naseer is appealing to Observer readers to raise £2,000 to buy a special corset for four-year-old Khadijah who has suffered from cerebral palsy since birth which means she currently can not talk, walk or even stand-up by herself.
She also has motor disorder, which further restricts her mobility, and reflux, which means she frequently vomits and has had two operation to stop this. She is on daily anti-sickness medication and has to be fed by a tube through her belly because she is prone to chocking.
But the specially made corset will dramatically change her life as it will help strength Khadijah muscles along her back and improve her head control. And the family believe this will boost her chances of walking.
The 34-year-old of, Langley, said: “To see Khadijah walk by herself would be the greatest gift anyone could give her.
“I was in tears the other day because I don’t want to have to ask for help, I want to be able to provide for my daughter myself. But she is growing bigger everyday and urgently needs the corset now to support herself and play.”
Khadijah is known as ‘a little miracle’ because medics said she had little chance of survival when she was born.
Ms Naseer, who also works part-time in Heathrow, added: “It was a very tough and scary time but I just kept praying she’d make it. I knew her quality of life may not be as good as others but I believed we’d be alright because she’d be with me.
“She catches infections quickly so when there is a change in the weather, she can get very ill. When she was younger we were always in and out of hospital that the nurses all knew her first name. But we’re not a sob story and I don’t view her disability as a negative thing. She has made me stronger.”
To help boost funds Sainsbury’s, Farnham Road, Slough will hold a collection from today (Monday) to October.
It has been organised by Cllr Diana Coad who said: “Khadijah is a real fighter. She proved that when she won a gold medal for bowling at the SADSAD games this weekend. She’s our brave little princess but this corset will make a world of difference so I hope everyone gives generously.”
Readers can also send cheques made payable to Saira Naseer at The Khadijah Fund, 77, Burnham Lane, Slough, Berkshire, SL1 6JY.