Left paraplegic after a horse riding accident in January this year, Emily, who grew up on Roper Valley and Mountain Valley Station, had to go through three months of stabilisation therapy, before she was moved to a hospital in Brisbane for rehabilitation.

Now sharing a modified house with her sister Courtney Tapp, the 21-year-old still has to go to regular therapies to build core strength, but while she has received outstanding medical care in Australia, she says she has not made as much progress as she would have liked.

But a special spinal rehabilitation program, undertaken in California, America could help.

The program would allow Emily to receive up to five hours of intensive physiotherapy treatment five times a week, which could get her closer to achieving her dream of one day walking again.

In Brisbane - where she currently is completing rehabilitation - she only gets one two-hour session a week.

“The project in America is called ‘Project Walk’ and it really is something that I feel very strongly will help me get back on my feet,” Emily said.

“Project Walk is the largest spinal rehabilitation centre in the world, and they are motivated and driven to push you out of your comfort zone and not limit your outcome by negativity.”

“I would be able to do almost 25 hours of physio a week - and I know that I would make serious progress in my mobility.

Emily said she feels the program in America is her “real shot” at walking again.

“We’ve already received an incredible amount of support from the Katherine region,” she said.

“We are so appreciative of all the support we’ve gotten so far, and are moved that it keeps coming in.

“The fact that people that I don’t even know want to get together in support for a Katherine girl, makes me feel touched and incredibly blessed.”

“We almost find it hard to say thank you because the gift they’ve given with their donations, and their support, is bigger than what words could ever repay.”