Abbie Can

Abbie has trouble using her facial muscles, lifting her arms above her head and has winged scapula. Abbie has a very positive attitude and won’t let a diagnosis define her.

Emily, Abbie’s mum said:

“As much as we were shattered and devastated by Abbie’s diagnosis we just want to do everything we can to help beat this condition for her and all the others affected FSHD.”

Since finding out about her condition, Abbie has focussed even more on who she aims to be when she is older.

Anthony, Abbie’s step-dad explained how she is using her diagnosis to define who she will be in the most positive of ways:

“Abbie has always wanted to be a doctor for as long as we can remember and now she wants to be able to fund research into FSHD. She now hopes to become a doctor in the FSHD field so she can tell other children that they don’t need to worry about their diagnosis.”

Abbie who originally set out to fund 100 hours of research into FSHD through her Family Fund has already raised over £10,000 of which 80% will go to research and 20% which will be held in trust by the charity for Abbie’s future needs.

Abbie has fantastic support from friends and family that have taken part in Indoor sky dives, MDUK’s Bake a Difference Campaign, Go Bright and most recently Abbie’s Grandad Jeffrey shaved his lockdown locks off for the Big 60 Campaign. Abbie doesn’t look to be slowing down her fundraising efforts anytime soon!