Pals overcome all obstacles to help Kimberlee

A Fylde coast mum who lives with a rare brain condition is looking forward to walking side-by-side with her children for the first time in three years.
Olivia Provan, Vickie Thompson and Sabrina ParsonsOlivia Provan, Vickie Thompson and Sabrina Parsons
Olivia Provan, Vickie Thompson and Sabrina Parsons

Kimberlee Provan, 44, was diagnosed with Chiari Malformation in December 2013.

The condition, which affects just one in 1,500 people, causes the brain to slip out of the skull and push down on the spine.

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Since then, Ms Provan has struggled to walk, talk, and even chat with friends on the phone. Once a successful legal aid, she was forced to give up her job and quit her business degree course after experiencing what she described as ‘the worst pain ever’.

Soctt James Provan, Olivia Provan, and Vickie ThompsonSoctt James Provan, Olivia Provan, and Vickie Thompson
Soctt James Provan, Olivia Provan, and Vickie Thompson

Now she is looking forward to spending time outside with her children Alexander, 19, and Olivia, 18, after a fund-raiser on her behalf pulled in enough money to buy an electric wheelchair.

Ms Provan, who lives in Highcross Park in Poulton, said: “Because what I have is quite rare and I can still walk a few steps, I don’t tick all the boxes and don’t qualify for an electric wheelchair with the NHS. But I’m too weak to push myself around, so the only time I can go out is when other people take me.

“That’s why they did the fund-raiser – to try and get me a bit of independence back.”

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A dedicated team of family and friends took on the gruelling Wolf Run in Leamington Spa on Saturday to raise more than £1,200.

Kimberlee Provan is living with a rare condition called Chiari MalformationKimberlee Provan is living with a rare condition called Chiari Malformation
Kimberlee Provan is living with a rare condition called Chiari Malformation

The 10k obstacle course saw participants swimming in lakes, wading through mud and scaling 10ft walls to reach the finish line.

Ms Provan said: “They arranged it all without me knowing. I was blown away. I couldn’t believe they were willing to put their poor bodies through that for me.

“After so many terrible years it’s like the light at the end of the tunnel.

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“It means hopefully I can get some independence back, because at the moment I can’t go anywhere on my own.

Soctt James Provan, Olivia Provan, and Vickie ThompsonSoctt James Provan, Olivia Provan, and Vickie Thompson
Soctt James Provan, Olivia Provan, and Vickie Thompson

“I’m looking forward to being able to go down my own drive and being able to go out with my daughter and walk the dogs with her.

“It’s quite simple, but I haven’t been able to do it for three years.”

Ms Provan’s sister, Kerry Martin, 46, took part in the difficult Wolf Run in her sister’s name.

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She said: “It was hell! It was really cold and started to rain, and it was really difficult because we had mud up to our knees.

Kimberlee Provan is living with a rare condition called Chiari MalformationKimberlee Provan is living with a rare condition called Chiari Malformation
Kimberlee Provan is living with a rare condition called Chiari Malformation

“We knew how difficult it was for Kimberlee so we thought we would give ourselves a difficult challenge as well.

“It will be amazing. It will give her back some of the life that she desperately needs.

“She wants to go back to university and she desperately wants to go back to work. It has been so awful for her but we have turned a corner now.

“I would do it all again if it meant I could raise more money for Kimberlee.

“She’s my sister and I would do anything for her.”

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