What you might not know is that since the age of two she has been living with severe rheumatoid arthritis, which requires several things.
One of those is a regular visit to the local hydrotherapy pool, however, as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, that is a visit she has been unable to make in recent months.
“Having rheumatoid arthritis has had a big affect on my life,” Jessica said.
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“It has affected every joint and it basically mean that I can't do most things people would think are normal.
“I can drive a car and I can work from home.
“But I have no energy; no stamina; it affects my physical ability to reach, bend and walk long distances; and stand for too long.
“It’s the things that most of us take for granted.
“Tying up my own hair, putting on my own shoes and doing the dishes.”
Without having the option to visit the hydrotherapy pool Jessica has been forced to take more baths.
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“I have a live-in carer, but it is difficult for them to keep lifting me in and out of the bath,” Jessica said.
“Someone suggested fundraising for a bath chair. I'd heard of Go Fund Me and heard about people having success with it.
“So I googled bath chairs and found a cheap one, then set up the Go Fund Me page to see if I could raise the money.”
After sharing the page via a number of community Facebook pages Jessica was shocked by the results.
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“I needed to raise $670,” she said.
“It was only up for two days and it had reached $720.
“Which was great as it also covered the shipping costs.
“So I have now been able to withdraw the money and place the order. I got the tracking number this morning and am just waiting for it to arrive.”
Jessica said she was overwhelmed and could not thank the Benalla community enough.
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“As a way of giving something back to the community I have set up a Benalla Secret Santa page on Facebook,” she said.”
“I am asking people to sign up and they will be matched with another community member at random and the gifts will be exchanged anonymously.
“The gifts should cost $20. It's just a bit of fun and a nice way of the community looking after each other at Christmas.”
● If you would like to take part in the Benalla Community Secret Santa search for ‘Secret Santa Benalla" on Facebook.
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