Rachel Coxon

In Memory of Rachel Coxon

Salisbury Journal

Woman whose courage was an inspiration dies aged 38

11:29am Tuesday 2nd November 2010

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• By Jill Harding »

A WOMAN whose courage and fortitude was an inspiration to all who knew her has died aged 38.

Rachel Coxon was an active 13-year-old looking forward to a bright future when she was bitten by a tick during a family day out in the New Forest.

The seemingly minor incident led to her contracting Lyme disease and she was left paralysed from the chest down.

In 2003 the Journal supported a campaign to buy Rachel a wheelchair she could control with her chin to allow her to move independently.

Generous readers helped to raise £6,000 and Rachel was presented with her chair, which will now be donated to Salisbury District Hospital’s spinal unit.

Earlier this year Rachel was diagnosed with cancer and she died last Monday.

A service of celebration will be held for Rachel at St Paul’s Church in Salisbury on Monday at 1.30pm.

* For tributes to Rachel see the November 4 edition of the SAlisbury Journal.

http://www.salisburyjournal.co.uk/news/8489294./