WHEN Mandy Leach was born with spina bifida and fluid on the brain doctors did not think she would survive.
But 45 years later wheelchair user Ms Leach, who lives at Saltways Nursing Home, is defying all odds as she is set to complete a mammoth challenge in aid of the baby unit which save her life at Birmingham Children’s Hospital.
She will experience several 40 feet drops during her abseiling challenge in Wales on November 10.
In order to complete her abseils, Ms Leach is taken out of her wheelchair and she then has to move her legs over the cliff or slop edge in preparation for the drops.
"I am nervous," she said.
"I want to show people in wheelchairs what they can achieve.
"When I was a baby they thought I would not live but with all the dedication from the doctors and nurses they helped me.
"It is just a way of saying a big thank you for all they have done for me," she added.
This is not the first time Ms Leach has taken on such a intense challenge, she previously took part in abseils in 1995, during her time at college.
She said: "At the time they thought I would not be able to do it but when someone tells me that I won’t be able to do something it just makes me more determined.
"I was the only person who was in a wheelchair that went down without an instructor.
"I was so pleased – I had achieved my goal.
"I always say to myself 'there’s no such word as can’t' and I never say 'never'."
So far, she has raised more than £410.
She added: "I am really happy with my sponsors, lots of people at Saltways have sponsored me."
Ms Leach moved to the nursing home in October last year as complications from her disability made her unable to remain at her flat in Cannock, Staffordshire.
To donate, visit justgiving.com/fundraising/Mandy-Leach3.
Next year Ms Leach will be taking part in Race For Life, a 5km course, to raise cash for Cancer Research UK
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