Overview

• Isabelle Vella was diagnosed with osteochondroma in April after leg pain was first attributed to growing pains and has completed two chemotherapy rounds ahead of early August surgery to consider amputation or limb salvage.
• Osteochondroma affects fewer than 35 children in the UK each year and typically emerges at growth plate ends of long bones during childhood.
• Parents Al and Faye Vella launched a GoFundMe page to fund treatments beyond NHS offerings, including advanced prosthetics and adaptive equipment.
• Treatment side effects have included removal and freezing of ovarian tissue for future fertility preservation and insertion of a feeding peg to maintain nutrition.
• Despite her diagnosis, Isabelle passed her Grade 3 drumming exam with Merit soon after learning her condition and remains determined to pursue wheelchair sports in the future.