ONE of Zimbabwe’s most promising gymnasts Rebecca Conlon is in need of assistance to cover her medical bills after suffering a horrific neck fracture at a trampoline park in the capital last Friday.
Conlon (16) was being tipped to reach the top echelons of the sports such as the World Championships and the Olympics after having represented the country with distinction in regional and international competitions from a very tender age.
Her fledgling career, however, suffered a blow last Friday when she fell and broke her neck at a trampoline park in Harare.
Conlon tragically fell through an open net onto a concrete floor and underwent emergency surgery for over 7,5 hours on Friday night. She is now in ICU.
Friends and family of Conlon have launched a fundraising campaign to help her adoptive parents cover her ballooning medical bills.
“We now pray and believe that Becky will walk again, but she has a long road ahead of her. As of Sunday the 8th, her hospital bills had been over US$17 000 with more to come and her USD Cimas claims have been exhausted and the long road of rehabilitation now starts.
“In times like this community is everything. We are appealing to each of you, if you find it in your heart to give it would be so appreciated. Even the smallest amounts add up and help so much. If you would like to give EcoCash or a CABS deposit please send it to her dad, Ross Conlon 0777448866, or cash donations can be dropped off and receipted at Live and Learn School office, 170 The Chase, Groombridge, or taken directly to Health Point hospital and given to her mom or dad, Ross and Cherylyn Conlon,” reads a statement which has been widely shared on social media by the Conlon’s friends and family.
Conlon, who is affectionately known as “Becky” in local gymnastics circles was adopted by her parents at just six weeks old while weighing only 1.8kgs but beat all odds.
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She became a member of the Zimbabwe gymnastics team at the age of seven before becoming a national champion in her age group two years later.
Her biggest breakthrough came at the age of 10 when she won gold in KwaZulu Natal before being scouted to join the South Africa gymnastics team under their Olympic coach.
At 11 she became the top gymnast in Africa for her age and was then selected to train in Europe in preparation for the Olympics. She later returned home not wanting to leave her family and chose to stay in Zimbabwe.
