Kate Winslet helps schoolgirl, 12, with rare eye condition tick off her ‘visual bucket list’ with a visit to the theatre – after donating thousands to fund a trip around the world
As someone who has always admired the generosity and compassion of others, particularly celebrities, Kate Winslet continues to leave me in awe. Her recent act of kindness towards Lily-Rae Merchant-O’Hanlon is a shining example of humanity at its best.
As a devoted admirer, I can’t help but share this heartwarming tale: Kate Winslet gracefully intervened to assist a remarkable schoolgirl battling a rare eye condition, enabling her to complete her ‘visual wishlist.’
12-year-old Lily-Rae Merchant-O’Hanlon received a diagnosis of Stargardt disease in December, which is a hereditary eye condition leading to gradual vision impairment due to degeneration.
Following her encounter with Lily-Rae’s tale, the actress from Titanic, aged 49, felt moved and organized for the young girl and her mother, Emma (aged 45), to accompany her to the theater this week.
Kate organized a trip to London’s Barbican Theatre for all three of them to enjoy the showing of My Neighbour Totoro, and she delightfully agreed to be captured in charming photographs with everyone.
Regarding the journey, Emma shared that it seemed as though they had been friends for ages. She came across as utterly ordinary. They were deeply thankful towards her.
Previously this year, Kate contributed £5,000 to Lily-Rae’s GoFundMe campaign. This generous donation enabled Lily-Rae to achieve two dreams: witnessing the Northern Lights and feeding a group of tigers at Knowsley Safari Park.
Following our generous contribution, Kate expressed her well-wishes by saying: “May Lily-Rae embark on enchanting journeys filled with cherished moments! Sending warm regards, Kate Winslet and the family.
Regarding the donations, Emma expressed her gratitude saying, “We are extremely grateful for the generosity shown. The contributions have truly touched our hearts.
Speaking about someone like Kate Winslet, it’s hard to find the words to express my admiration for her talent as an actress. But even beyond that, I hold her in high regard as a person, a human being, for her kindness and generosity she exhibits.
‘She sent a lovely message as well. To have made so personal was just so special.’
Greetings, I’m Emma, and I couldn’t be prouder of my extraordinary 11-year-old daughter, Lily-Rae. Last year, we received a diagnosis for her that confirmed she has Juvenile Macular Dystrophy. Recently, we learned that a rare defect in the ABCA4 gene is behind this condition, leading to Stargardt’s disease. I dislike using the term “defective,” but that’s what it’s called.
Her vision is progressively worsening, causing her to learn braille and use a cane. While she may retain some peripheral vision, it’s not guaranteed to be perfect.
‘I’ve been gathering her ideas and the things she wants to see before it sadly gets so bad!
Lily-Rae’s heart yearns to witness the northern lights from within a glass dome, an experience she cherishes deeply. If it’s possible, any help you could offer would be greatly appreciated, enabling Lily to realize this dream and hold that unforgettable moment in her memory forever.
Lily-Rae’s condition does not affect colour, but she does struggle with depth perception.
She can see from three metres or less and said she reads her laptop using a font size of 64.
At present, Lily-Rae relies on a cane and is educating herself in Braille, yet she remains optimistic that telling her own tale will challenge common misunderstandings about individuals living with vision loss.
Lily-Rae pointed out that the fundraiser holds significance to her since it allows her to travel the world before she loses her sight, creating both mental and physical memories for herself and her mother to share.
This is not the first time Oscar-winner Kate has showed her generousity.
In the year 2022, Kate generously contributed £17,000 to help a mother cover an extraordinarily high energy bill, which was necessary to maintain life support for her daughter who has cerebral palsy.
In a communication from Clackmannanshire Council, it was made clear to resident Carolynne Hunter of Tillicoultry, Scotland, that her annual bill might increase significantly, potentially reaching up to £17,000 in the upcoming year, compared to the current £6,500.
Twelve-year-old Freya, Freya being her daughter, battles with severe cerebral palsy and requires constant oxygen supply due to persistent respiratory issues.
Carolynne expressed feeling overpowered when the actress portraying Titanic, who is 47 years old, stepped in after learning about their difficulty from BBC Scotland’s report.
Kate donated £17,000 to the family’s GoFundMe page and contacted Miss Hunter to wish them well.
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2024-11-20 14:10