A girl whose fight to walk has inspired people worldwide has moved into her new home in Bathgate.
And now the community is raising money to have the house better adapted to her needs.
Arabella Green, known as Ella, was born with a rare condition called arthrogryposis that affects the joints and limits movements.
The family rejected being told that their daughter could never walk, and with help from the community, they raised enough money for a life-changing operation.
Ella, now six, took her first steps just before Christmas last year at the Paley European Institute in Poland.
She returned to West Lothian with her family after a visa issue prevented them from staying in Poland for an extended period of time.
William Green, Ella’s dad, said: “It’s been a difficult process moving into the new house. I didn’t realise how much junk we had in our house in Boghall for the last 12 years – but it’s been great to get a fresh start for Ella and the family.
“The community’s been great for chipping in and helping us out even in such difficult circumstances. Ella’s bedroom’s been done up like a wee palace and the house is beautiful.
“So many people from the local community saw Ella’s Facebook page and offered to help, from our local councillor Charles Kennedy sorting the house for us, to my friend Darren Bain for fitting the carpets for free, Audyan Blinds for offering their services, and Michelle SwimLessons offering free swimming lessons, all for Ella.”
Their new home is a three-bedroom bungalow with disabled access in every room with a hallway for Ella to walk from one end of her home to the other.
The kitchen worktops have been lowered as well so Ella will be able to feed herself with an OBI feeder that the community raised money for at the beginning of April.
Louise Easton, a housing officer from Whitburn, was particularly moved by Ella’s story – setting up the fundraiser for the OBI device and now setting up a buffet night to raise money for a treadmill and hoist to support Ella’s physiotherapy.
William added: “Louise Easton has been so helpful since we got back – she set up the fundraiser raising £10,000 for the OBI robot for Ella and now she’s sorted another buffet night to raise money for a treadmill and a hoist to support Ellas physiotherapy.
“The facilities here in Scotland aren’t what they are in Poland.
“With a treadmill and hoist we’ll be able to do better daily physiotherapy like what Dr Feldman recommended.”
The buffet night will be held at the Aroma Restaurant in Broxburn on May 12 from 5pm to 9pm with all money raised going towards supporting Ella’s physiotherapy.
To buy tickets and support Ella and her family, book a table at the restaurant on 01506 855568.
You can follow Ella’s progress on her Facebook page: Princess Ella’s fight to walk.
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