The unstoppable Izzie Everest
Izzie is a truly inspirational teenager who is determined not to let her disability define her. With the support of her family and the dedicated team at Evelina London she’s already achieved what many thought impossible.
Izzie has been part of the Evelina London family since she was five. After being diagnosed with cerebral palsy as a baby, her doctors at the time said they didn’t know if she would ever be able to walk or talk.
“It was like being hit by a lorry,” said Izzie’s mum, Paula Everest. “But thanks to the dedicated, expert Evelina London team, Izzie has been able to follow her dreams.”
“Since I’ve had my operations at Evelina London, I’ve been more mobile… so I can carry on doing what I love. Evelina London has treated and supported me throughout most of my life, and has become my second home.”
From performing pioneering surgery on Izzie’s legs, to providing incredible ongoing rehabilitation, comfort and care – the devoted Evelina London team has been with Izzie and her family every step of the remarkable journey.
“I don’t let my disability define who I am,” says Izzie. “When I was little, my parents told me I can do anything I want, but I will just have to find a different way of doing it.”
That’s exactly what she has done. She’s a truly inspirational teenager, not only training hard to become a European Judo champion and conquering a daring 160ft fundraising abseil for Evelina London.
At 15 years-old, she is also studying to be a future doctor on special programme for talented young people – after seeing the dedication of her dad working as a paramedic and wanting to give back after experiencing the expertise and compassion of the Evelina London team during her time in hospital.
“When you walk through the doors of Evelina London, you feel special. You feel safe there.” said Izzie.
“They say it takes a village to raise a child. Well, when you've got a child with a disability like Isabelle, that is true. It's taken us as a family, friends and the Evelina London to raise Isabelle. They are like a family, and they need to be immensely proud of being part of Isabelle's journey.”
Become part of our Evelina London family, and together we can do amazing things for more inspiring young people like Izzie.