An inspirational teenager who won the Emily Mott Child of Courage Award at My Local Hero 2019 never thought she would win, according to her mother.
Grace Gaskell, 13, from Chalfont St Peter, was diagnosed with a brain tumour in the summer but has never let her condition hold her back from getting out and enjoying life.
Grace’s mother Rebecca said she was overwhelmed to win.
She explained: “I think for someone to recognise the courage in you and what you go through everyday makes Grace feel very proud of what she achieves. And so it should.”
Grace continues to defy the odds and amaze her medical team as a recent health scare showed.
She said: “I was woken to her not breathing and in a full seizure, she’s not had any seizure activity up to this for the last six months. However she very quickly recovered and amazed her oncologist at John Radcliffe Hospital on how well she was when we attended for her MRI later that day. As always she literally is amazing and so positive.”
Aside from medical visits, Grace continues to fill her life with a host of sporting and community-based activities.
Rebecca said: “The day after the awards, Grace gained a bronze medal at a local judo competition held by her judo club. The week after this Grace and her cadet squadron at 606 Beaconsfield team won gold against the local Police and Army cadets for the annual Buckinghamshire Inter County Competition.
“In May she will be taking part in a wing exercise competition within her squadron and also hoping to do her next judo grading. Grace is also taking part in the CRUK (Cancer research UK) 24HR relay for Life at Ascot in July to raise much needed money for Cancer research.”
Perhaps most importantly, Grace is a constant source of inspiration to other people, something which Rebecca said makes her even prouder of her daughter.
She added: “She has come in contact with many people locally who have cancer who have said that they now cope better seeing how Grace copes. She is a massive inspiration to others. We as a family try to support newly diagnosed families with brain tumours via an online Facebook brain tumour support group.
“We know all too well how scary it is to come into this situation and try all we can to befriend, and support others.”
Picture courtesy of Hoss Photography
Our beautiful girl, our hero and now our angel. You showed the world how to live with cancer. You did it with style, with care and of course with grace.
Forever 14, we love you eternally Sweetpea xxxxx