Nicole all set for dream girlie day out

A 14-year-old girl from Barefield is set to prove that just because she cannot walk, she can still become a model. Nicole Norton, who suffers from cerebral palsy and is visually impaired, will have her dreams of come true this Friday with the help of the Share a Dream Foundation.
As part of her perfect ‘girlie’ day out, Nicole will get a model makeover and photoshoot as well as becoming an honorary Rose at the 2012 Rose of Clare in the West County.
Nicole’s mother Ann said, “It was a friend of Nicole, Jennifer, who is physically disabled, who contacted Share a Dream to put Nicole forward. She wanted her to be a model and to go on a shopping spree. Nicole would be very much a girlie girl. I think it’s just brilliant she will get to go and have a day out without any worries. She is just so excited.”
Nicole’s dream starts at 9.45am when she, her mum and sister Lauren will be picked up by limo from her home in Barefield and, along with a special garda escort, travel to Limerick in real style. There, Nicole will be met by her ladies-in-waiting, who will accompany Nicole for the day.
Every girl has to look her best so the first stop for the ultimate girlie day out will be at Bellissimo Salon.  Nicole will then begin her transformation by getting her hair, nails and make-up done.
To make the day even more special, her next stop will be off to meet fashion adviser Celia Holman Lee at Debenham’s, who is going to help Nicole to find the perfect outfit. As if being helped by the style icon herself wasn’t enough, Nicole will also be accompanied by current Miss Limerick World, Kellie McGrath, former Miss Limerick Universe, Jemma Burke and model Laura O’Shea to lend her some advice. Spoilt for choice like every girl should be, Nicole will also have the opportunity to do some shopping in Imasa.  
What better way to show off her new model look than with a professional photoshoot. When Nicole has finally found that perfect outfit, she will then head to Angles Photography Studio to make the cameras love her and create a portfolio of pictures to capture the magic of her day.
All of this pampering and shopping will be tough work for the girlie day out crew. In order to restore some of the energy that was lost, a lunch will be provided by The Cornstore Restaurant.
To top off what is sure to be a day to remember for Nicole, she has also been invited to become an Honorary Rose at the 2012 Rose of Clare in The West County Hotel in Ennis later that evening.
According to Ann, “I think it’s a great opportunity for Nicole to meet Celia Holman Lee. Even though she is physically disabled, Nicole is still very much a young lady who takes pride in herself and her clothes and it will be lovely for her to get some tips. I think it’s so important that regardless of whether you have a disability or not, you have to have something to look forward to in the future, you can never not say that you can’t do something. That is something Nicole has always done; she is an extremely positive person. She is a beautiful child and she has shown that just because she can’t walk, that doesn’t mean she can’t be a model.”
Nicole is set to have a series of operations in the coming months, with Ann saying Friday has given her a major boost. “She has a lot to deal with on the medical side of things but when we were coming down from Dublin, where the operations were discussed, all she could talk about was Friday. She really is an extremely positive person, who sees the positive in everything. The fact she will be an honorary Rose of Clare, that is just the ideal way to finish the day and I’d like to thank the organisers for that.
“We are just so proud of her, she has gone through so much in her life, so many operations and so many complications but she always tries to keep everything positive. This year has been one of the toughest for her, physically and emotionally but no matter what, she always sees the positive side. It’s not over yet, she still has a lot to deal with but days like this Friday are what keep her going. It’s just amazing that there are people out there who do things to make other people happy.”
According to the Share a Dream Foundation, “The people who are lucky enough to know Nicole know just how special she is because she has brought so much joy and love into their lives. Her family and friends describe Nicole as being an inspiration to them, all because of her ability to remain full of joy and happiness, no matter what obstacles she faces on an ongoing basis due to her disabilities. The Share a Dream Foundation is absolutely honoured to be providing Nicole with this special day, as it is no more than what she deserves.
“Share a Dream would like to extend a huge thanks to everyone for making Nicole’s dream day a reality.” If you would like to help Share a Dream, contact 061 200080/200083; www.shareadream.ie; www.facebook.com/shareadream.