Freedom … what does it mean to you?
For one Maddingley woman, it’s being in the middle of the ocean, feeling the sea breeze and seeing the vastness of the world on a horizon.
Angela Tull has type 3 spinal muscular atrophy and has been in a wheelchair for most of her life, so the notion of freedom is paramount.
“Freedom’s a huge thing for me,” Ms Tull says. “Anybody who’s been so confined, whether it’s to a wheelchair or confined to a bed, it’s that entrapment feeling that you try to escape.”
About 10 months ago, Ms Tull’s doctors told her she had less than 18 months to live. She was told to get her “affairs in order”, but for the mum-of-two that meant creating as many memories as she could with her children, Jessica, 20, and Justin, 19.
“I want my kids to remember me for who I am. I was always an active mum, even in the wheelchair – I was at the school doing their readers and I coached the school golf team,” she says.
“My kids have always seen me up and about and doing everything, but these five years have just been so hard.”
Ms Tull’s eyes light up as she speaks about her children, but they fill with tears when nostalgia takes over.
To help create lasting memories Ms Tull, her two children and two carers will travel to Tasmania on a cruise later this year.
But the family needs to raise $5000 to cover the expenses.
To help out the Tulls, visit www.gofundme.com/yxzw4s
“For me, the ocean means freedom,” Ms Tull said.
