Welcome to The Tara Maria Fund
The Tara Maria Fund has been set up to raise money towards Tara's prosthetic legs for now and in the future. The Tara Maria Fund is a registered charity.
So where do the funds go?
All funds go directly to the making of prosthetic legs for Tara and other children in Queensland. Tara has also raised money through the Fund for a children's hospital ward.
For the next 10 years Tara will be needing a new leg at least every 10 months, as she grows. The Queensland government does provide a basic walking leg, but this is not waterproof and doesn't quite fulfil the needs of a 10-year-old who's bursting to run around and use her legs! Tara's fund is used for new prosthetic legs and/or the upgrading of the standard-issue leg she receives; and to save for legs she will need in the future.
Prosthetic legs are like cars - ranging in price, performance and appearance. The price of a prosthetic leg starts at two thousand Australian dollars and reaches as high as tens of thousands (even hundreds if you're in the Paralympics!).
About Me
I was born in Sydney in 2000 (the year of the Sydney Olympics). I was born with a condition called pseudo-arthrosis, which means my tibia (the big bone in your leg, below your knee) was born kind of bent. I had a lot of operations when I was a little kid, and I've worn a big brace on my left leg since I was 5-days-old. In March 2008 my left leg was chopped off (amputated) by my doctor.
My Dreams
I want to be an artist and a singer.
It used to my dream to wear two shoes. I only ever wore one shoe before my operation. Now I can wear matching shoes, and I can run. It is my dream to get a proper running leg and run like my friends.
Proudest Moment
Getting a medal for running in the Gold Coast Marathon Junior Dash. I ran in the marathon on the same day that my Godparents in London were running in fun runs to raise money for my prosthetics.