The parents of a two-year-old girl with a rare illness are trying to raise £15,000 to send her to Slovakia for life-changing medical work that could help her ‘walk, talk and play’ with her twin sister and doting older brother.
Eadie Denniss-Dean was born in May 2016 along with twin Lucy, but parents Sally Dean and Stella Denniss quickly noticed a difference between the two.
Sally, of Stafford, explained: “At their six week check-up I told the doctor that Eadie had bad head lag and we were referred to Children’s Development Clinic.
“They diagnosed her with hypotonia – which makes her all floppy – and microcephaly, which means that her brain is smaller than it should be and is developing differently to her sister’s.
“In January she had her first seizure and was diagnosed with epilepsy.
“Other words were also being mentioned by professionals such as hypermobility, global developmental delay and poor vision. It was just one thing after another and the list seemed to be endless.
“It was heartbreaking seeing our little girl like this – and her epilepsy is still uncontrolled today.”
Stella added: “Eadie has the biggest belly laugh I’ve ever heard and her big brother Tom, four, absolutely adores her.
“At the moment she can’t walk or talk but she is getting strong and so determined.
“Since Christmas it seems like a little light has gone on inside her head and she is desperately trying to crawl, hold a spoon to her mouth, sit stronger and is even starting to use a walking aid.
“As her voice, advocate and mum I will do everything I can to get Eadie the help to reach her full potential. Which is why we’re fundraising to help her on her journey.”
A just4children fundraising page has been set up for Eadie with a £15,000 target.
The money will allow the family to visit Adeli medical centre in Slovakia, which offers a specialised programme of intensive neurorehabilitation for children, more than once.
Sally said: “The NHS is great but they can only see her every six months or so, and we’ve paid for private physio before but it’s £60 an hour.
“Our hope is the 10-day course at Adeli with five hours a day rehab will help Eadie.
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“While there we can spend time with them learning what they’re doing with her and continue that work at home”
To donate, visit just4children.org/children-helped2019/eadies-wishes.
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