Medal for Courage
A PAIR of schoolgirls from Gloucestershire have been recognised for their bravery in the face of illness with a special medal.
Rebecca Dean, 15, of Brockworth and Billie-Jo Higgs, 13, of Gloucester, were handed the Gloucestershire Medal of Courage at a special ceremony this week.
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BRAVE: Rebecca Dean proudly shows off her Gloucestershire Medal of Courage
The medals were handed over by Sir Henry Elwes, the Lord Lieutenant of Gloucestershire, at a meeting of the county council at the Shire Hall on Wednesday.
Peter Bungard, the chief executive of the council, introduced the winners to the council.
Introducing Rebecca, he told councillors: "Rebecca shows huge strength and courage in the face of a multitude of medical conditions.
"She was born with Neurofibromatosis, suffers from cranio-fronto-nasal dysplasia, a right optic nerve glioma and progressive left thoraco-lumber scoliosis.
"In 2008, Rebecca underwent major surgery to correct the curvature of her spine. However, she remains friendly and outgoing despite the need for further surgery. Rebecca attends Brockworth Enterprise College."
Mr Bungard introduced Billie-Jo saying: "Billie-Jo had both legs amputated when she was just 18 months old. Despite recurrent spells in hospital, Billie-Jo is determined to lead as normal a life as possible.
"Showing great strength and courage, she chose to attend a mainstream school rather than a special school.
"She is a great role model and a star pupil, never complaining about her condition. Bille-Jo attends Bishops College in Gloucester."
Sir Henry said: "As in the past, this year's winners set fine examples to us all and I am very pleased to have the honour of recognising them on behalf of their whole community."
The Gloucestershire Medal for Courage scheme exists to acknowledge exceptional courage displayed by people who live in the Gloucestershire area.
It was initiated more than 30 years ago by the late Sir Charles Irving, former MP for Cheltenham and an Honorary Alderman of the county council.
The county council administers the scheme but the awards are decided by a committee whose members have no direct connection with the authority.
Comments
by John, Gloucester
Sunday, September 13 2009, 11:20PM
“I believe both Rebecca Dean, and Billie-Jo Higgs, will bring to their respective classmates in these schools a magnificent gift for better understanding of humanity. Courage and love for humankind is for the most part apparent in all physically impaired children. But the most interesting gift they possess is a huge capacity to make friends. Courage is instinctive in all people deprived through illness. Given the right opportunities these individuals will quickly outstrip the more agile who possess much more healthy parts in their body. The right leadership and acceptable support and in quick time you will have important earners and contributors in society. Pleasant to have read this story”