A three-year-old Dundee girl with dwarfism is getting ready to take part in this year’s Kiltwalk to raise money for a sports charity supporting children with growth conditions.
Aria MacGillivray was born with achondroplasia, a form of disproportionate dwarfism that causes people to have an average-sized torso and short limbs, and can also cause build-ups of fluid on the brain.
Aria, who is said to be an “independent lady”, will be taking part in the 26-mile event on August 19 with her dad John in aid of Dwarf Sports Association Scotland.
She aims to complete the first and last parts of the route on her own, aided by a wheelchair pram the rest of the way.
John said: “The Kilt Walk is a great way to raise money for charity and we have picked the Dwarf Sports Association because it gives children the chance to take part in sport with other children of their own ability.
“Children with dwarfism often come last in sports days, which affects their confidence and can discourage them from taking part in sport – the charity aims to change that.
“They offer just about every sport. Aria has taken part in archery, shooting, golfing and swimming, for example.
“She’s a very independent lady and she’ll be getting out of the pram to walk when she wants to, aided by me and Kieran Drugan of the Dundee Carers Centre.”
Aria has learned to use a walker and can now walk without the help of her mum and dad.
She has also had a procedure known as a foramen magnum decompression to lift pressure from her spinal column, which John said she came through “with flying colours”.
John took part in Glasgow’s 23-mile Kilt Walk as practice, completing it in nine hours and he aims to complete the 26 hour Dundee event in the same time-frame.
You can follow John’s training and donate towards John and Aria’s cause at https://dundeekiltwalk2018.everydayhero.com/uk/macgillivray-s-kiltwalks-18
