Kynleigh Parker, who works for Lovell Partnerships in Harleston, scoops Apprenticeships Norfolk Award after health battles

An inspirational construction worker has won a top award thanks to the resilience she has shown while dealing with two major health battles.

Kynleigh Parker, who works for Lovell Partnerships in Harleston, broke her back after her attempt to do a back flip on a trampoline went wrong.

After making a remarkable recovery, the 25-year-old discovered that she was affected by endometriosis and has just recovered from a recent operation to remove the infected tissue from various parts of her body.

Endometriosis is a long-term condition where similar tissue to the lining of the womb grows in other places, like the ovaries and fallopian tubes, and can affect fertility.

In amidst all of this, the trainee construction site manager climbed Mount Snowden with her partner Alf in June and raised £2,485 to go towards a £7,000 fund that will enable her to freeze her eggs and potentially have children in the future.

Last month, Kynleigh was named as the winner in the ‘achievement in exceptional circumstances’ category of the 2024 Apprenticeships Norfolk Awards.

Kynleigh, who gained her apprenticeship qualification whilst studying at West Suffolk College in Bury St Edmunds, said: “I started at Lovell in March 2020 and became an apprentice. I prefer this way of learning as you get to see how everything works – it’s very visual.

“Then about a year in to the course, I broke my back outside of work whilst trying to do a flip on a trampoline. I was in hospital for a week and in a back brace for two months.

“I still have problems (with my back) but knowing I am able to walk and go about my daily activities makes me feel extremely grateful.

“There was a moment when I thought that I could be paralysed. Even when I knew I wasn’t paralysed, I still couldn’t shower or go to the toilet on my own; my independence was stripped from me and I’m a very independent person. That was probably the biggest mental challenge. Overall, though, I feel very lucky.

“Then recently I was diagnosed as having endometriosis. I had major surgery this year to support my ambitions of having children in the future. It (the condition) is not talked about enough. But it has an impact on one in 10 women and is as common as diabetes.

“As well as having an impact on your fertility, it can create fatigue, back pain, bloating and abdominal pain. I’ve just had a large part of my bowel removed due to the endometriosis and I’m slowly starting to feel better.

“It might sound strange but going through all of this has made me have more of a positive outlook. I set myself goals regularly and keep moving forwards.

“Part of this positive mindset saw me climb Mount Snowdon in June. It was very rainy on the way up, but sunny and beautiful on the way down.

“I was nervous attempting this after my back injury but it felt good to complete the challenge. My partner, Alf, and I had a little cabin so we had a barbecue at the end to celebrate.

“A piece of advice that has kept me going through all of this is from the storyteller Brene Brown. She said: ‘One day, you’ll tell your story of how you overcame what you went through and it will become someone else’s survival guide’.”

In terms of the award, Kynleigh said: “I felt very lucky as I’d been nominated by people in the workplace and it’s nice to know they thought of me. I felt proud to stand up and win the award.”

She said West Suffolk College had been ‘amazing’ and ‘really supportive throughout everything’.

March is Endometriosis Action Month, which is an opportunity to raise awareness, demand change and show support for those with the condition.