A COLCHESTER woman who spent months of her life in a wheelchair as a child is now preparing for the "impossible" - to run her first half marathon.

Jamilla Blake, 20, from Colchester, will be taking part in this year’s Royal Parks Half Marathon on October 13, to raise money for the Royal National Orthopaedic Hospital (RNOH) Charity.

Mobility - Jamilla Blake in her reclining wheelchairMobility - Jamilla Blake in her reclining wheelchair (Image: PA) At seven-years-old, Jamilla suffered from severe back pain causing her to need a wheelchair.

She had to go through a ten-hour long complex surgery after doctors found a benign lesion putting pressure on her spinal cord.

Jamilla, who had to spend two weeks lying completely flat after her surgery was successful, said her recovery was frustrating. 

Rest - Jamilla in a hospital bed recovering Rest - Jamilla in a hospital bed recovering (Image: PA) She said: “It was tricky to understand the recovery process at that age, especially when I spent a few nights in the emergency unit in worse pain than I had been in before."

However, she started to feel grateful for the position she was in after seeing other children who were paralysed and even a toddler who had to have his leg removed due to cancer.

Once she was discharged she had to wear a plaster cast and a brace for 11 months and relied on a special wheelchair.

Recovery - Jamilla now works at the Bank of England Recovery - Jamilla now works at the Bank of England (Image: PA) Jamilla used to live at the top of a long hill which her mum had to push her up after days in town, sometimes having to stop and take a break.

She said: “I was also very aware of how hard it was for mum pushing the big chair around. 

“I then got out and walked a few steps to try and help. She thinks it is my determination, or stubbornness, that made me recover so successfully.”

Family - Jamila and her mother Jan Wilcox Family - Jamila and mum Jan Wilcox (Image: PA)

Since her surgery, Jamilla has raised funds for RNOH to support the type of research which saved her life.

In May this year, she started running again to prepare for the half marathon, hoping to inspire other people going through medical challenges.

“Sometimes the impossible is possible,” Jamilla said. “My mum was told I could be paralysed for life, if I survived at all, but 13 years later I am running the Royal Parks Half Marathon.”

She added: “My mum is the strongest person I know.

“I constantly want to make her proud, and I know that not only doing the half marathon but also getting out and training makes her proud, particularly as she is a runner herself, and that is so important for me.”

To support Jamilla’s fundraising, go to: https://www.justgiving.com/page/jamilla-blake-1720355689427.