about ali

Ali Pearce - Overcoming adversity.

Ali is a 22 year old young lady, she was born with Downs Syndrome, and five holes in her heart. Her prognosis was a life expectancy of less than six months - Ali proved the Doctors wrong.

Ali battled on until she was two years old, against all the odds, and eventually the Doctors decided that she should be given the life saving operation to repair her heart. Unfortunately during the procedure something went wrong, and Ali suffered a massive Cerebal Haemorrhage, which resulted in her being paralysed throughout her left side. Ali had shown clear signs that she was a left handed person.' so this was a particularly cruel blow. The Cerebal Heamorrhage was not discovered until three days later, and the Doctors realised Ali's heart was not beating correctly, so she was given a pacemaker. After several weeks in intensive care, Ali was eventually discharged back into the care of her family, however they did not follow up on hospital appointments, and did not seek support for Ali, and eventually when Ali was aged four, she was placed on the Children At Risk Register, when it was discovered she had 'non-accidental' injuries.

Social Services, placed Ali into our care. They explained she would never develop any skills, would not be able to communicate, walk, or do anything for herself. Ali proved the Social Workers wrong.

We asked the Social Workers to leave us alone (How could Ali believe in herself if they didn't believe in and encourage her?) Together we began a journey that we thought would give Ali a fighting chance to gain some pleasure from life, and at least learn a few basic skills. Ali proved us wrong.

Far from learning a few basic skills, Ali has gone from strength to mind blowing strength, and we have had to run to keep up with her! Together we have faced numerous operations, from the simple procedures that stopped her being profoundly deaf, ( Which no-one had realised until she was five years old.) to an emergency dash to the hospital 80 miles from our home when one of her pacemakers failed. ( These machines are not permanent, and require replacing every five year or so.)

In 1998 Ali was one of the youngest ever recipients of the Life After Stroke Courage Award, and we found ourselves at a prestigious luncheon in London, with Ali being featured on the TV news!

Then coming up to her 18th birthday Ali asked for a digital camera. The following year she won a National Photgraphic Competition organised by MENCAP, and her work was exhibited at The Victoria and Albert Museum in London.

Since then Ali has helped several charities, both locally and Nationwide, by donating her images to be auctioned or raffled to help with fund raising. Her achievements in facing the adversities and challenges life has given her, are beyond everyones expectations, and Ali continues to be an inspiration and shining light to everyone who's life she touches.

Though perhaps I could bring this synopsis to a close with the words 'The End'
Experience has taught me that - Ali would prove me wrong!!!!