The family of a child with special needs have spoken of their pride as they watch their little girl embrace aspects of life that may have proved challenging.
Katie-Louise Goodfellow, who is from the North Belfast area, proudly delivered disability awareness badges to her peers in Brownie's last week - a life defining moment for the child and her parents Derek and Victoria.
The seven-year-old has Cerebral Palsy and Dystonia, conditions which mean she faces obstacles in life. But her parents believe their daughter should have the same opportunities as other children her age have, and so have put their all into making sure that this happens.
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Speaking to Belfast Live, Derek said: "With Katie-Louise having special needs, cerebral palsy and dystonia, that excludes her from a lot of things that other children her age can go to. Katie-Louise started West Kirk Rainbows when she could and my wife Victoria would have taken her along to that.
"We feel that because she has a disability, that doesn't make her different from other children. To bring Katie-Louise to these places, it means other children won't be shielded from the world of disabilities.
"When she was born, we said we didn't want Katie-Louise excluded from anything in life. We wanted there to be as many welcoming laces as possible. I am from a counting background and my wife was in GB Guides, so we wanted Katie-Louise to be able to mix with other children her age, and to learn new skills.
"From very early on, the first night in Rainbows, the leaders were brilliant. They couldn't do enough. Whatever Katie-Louise needed, they got that for her. They really were so good at making Katie-Louise feel part of the group, unconditionally.
"Moving up, and looking at Brownies and the badges, we had seen that there was a disability awareness badge and that is normally delivered by the leaders. Whereas, we felt that in conjunction with Katie-Louise's speech and language therapist and physio, that it would be good for her to deliver the badge to her peers."
It had been in the plan from around September time that Katie-Louise would deliver the badges, but it had to be cancelled last minute after she took ill. But it was reschedule to last Thursday, and the moment was so special, it was worth the wait.
Katie-Louise shared with her friends what cerebral palsy is and how it affects her. She explained that her conditions do not stop her from doing things - she told them how she has been ice skating with the Belfast Giants through the Mae Murray Foundation.
Derek added: "As parents, Thursday was emotional. The way she communicates with her device, she is still learning and there is still a lot of navigating on the iPad to look for different words. She was able to tell us at home what she wanted to include.
"The presentation itself was formulated behind the scenes, and it went so well. She delivered it brilliantly and we were just so proud, we are so proud.
"The sheer excitement of her being able to run the night. It was amazing. It was one of those life defining moments for her, and for us. The other Brownies were asking questions and you could see the glow in her wee face. She felt proud of herself, and so she should.
"We are overwhelmed by the support, encouragement and inclusiveness of the leaders and Katie-Louise's peers every week, in their weekly programme, by adapting their activities to suit and include Katie-Louise fully.
"There may be families in a similar situation of having a disabled child and don't realise that their son or daughter could attend a youth organisation and be included, have fun and learn new skills.
"Sometimes we as parents with a daughter who has a physical disability feel isolated and excluded from the community and groups and or organisation as they will not accept Katie-Louise. We know other families feel the same and we want to highlight the good work of the Shankill and particularly West Kirk."
Please follow Katie-Louise page on Facebook through this link.
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