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Ashlynn is a very creative 12 year who loves to draw, write poems and is very musical.

A year ago a brain tumour measuring 5.5cm was found in Ashlynn’s brain. This required brain surgery. Ashlynn was very brave and the surgery was successful. However, it has left her with no vision in her left eye, no hearing in her left ear and he has trouble using her left hand and leg. A tumour means she has a brain injury which has left her with difficulty using that side of her body.

Sadly, due to her being different and having a big scar, the kids at her school bullied her and were very unkind. Ashlynn left her school and now learns via distance education at home with her mum. Ashlynn is very determined and decided to dye her hair around her scar pink to have some fun while it grows back.

Ashlynn now has a lot of therapy to help her move and is learning sign language, she has also started to try wheelchair sports to keep fit and make new friends.

Ashlynn was not able to ride a standard bike as she is too big for training wheels and they don’t support her enough to balance properly. TAD volunteers tried out some large supportive wheels and a bar at the back for her mum to give her a push-up hills. 

Tamara, Ashlynn’s mum says, “Ashlynn’s brain forgets she has a left side so pedalling on a bike reminds her to use both sides. This helps her to remember when she isn’t on the bike, too.”

The TAD volunteers are looking to make a special alarm to remind Ashlynn to turn her head to look left when she turns left.

Tamara is so happy the students are helping cover the cost of this special bike for Ashlynn. Tamara says, “no matter what changes happen in life, you can get around them.”

Thank you to The John Maclean Foundation for supporting this project.