A FORMER Amport resident has been recognised on a charity roll of honour for showing courage in the face of scoliosis.
Elizabeth Felton, who regularly returns to the village to visit her parents Maurice and Robina Orchard, has been commended by the British Scoliosis Research Foundation.
The 34-year-old and her husband Ian have raised £20,000 in just three years through a number of fundraising initiatives.
Although Elizabeth has suffered from scoliosis since she was a baby, she has never let the disease hold her back, despite a number of painful operations to help correct her spine.
After attending Amport Primary School and John Hanson School in Andover, Elizabeth began pursuing a career as a company secretary.
"Because I have always had scoliosis I have always been 'normal' and never classed myself as disabled," she said. "But when I was 24, the problem returned. I had only been married a year and I was commuting up to London with a walking stick."
Things got worse and aged 29, Elizabeth was signed off and hasn't worked since.
To keep herself occupied, she began painting and made notecards, which people suggested she began selling.
She now makes handmade cards and jewellery and a percentage of the sale is given to the charity.
Elizabeth also became fundraising manager for the charity after her father ran the London Marathon, but she resigned from that position almost 18 months ago.
After learning of her commendation in the Scoliosis Association (UK) newsletter, Elizabeth was overwhelmed.
"For me to go on that roll of honour - it's the first time ever than anybody has recognised that I have had a problem and kept on fighting," she said.
"It's the first time I've sat back and started thinking - I haven't driven for five years and I rely on everyone else.
"But I'm working for a business, I have my own house and independence; that's why I did the fundraising.
"I couldn't just give in."
Elizabeth is now recovering from her latest operation, which she hopes will be a success.
In the meantime, her work is going well, with a shop in Windsor now selling her cards and other outlets are also interested.
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