This is our lovely Eliza, and this is the look she gives me when she wants to tell me something but can't. Sometimes I count all the questions that Angus and Nina ask me in just part of a day (it's at least 100 each!!!), and I think of all the things that Eliza must want to say.

Rett Syndrome has left her unable to speak, even though when she was little she could say a few words. She has learnt to walk, taking her first steps at the age of 5, but as her big brother Angus once said to me "I wouldn't really mind so much if Eliza couldn't walk, it's good that she can now, but I would just really like her to be able to speak and tell us what she wants." 

He's right. Eliza does enjoy being able to walk, but she can't say a simple yes or no, and she can't tell us if she is feeling excited, happy, hungry, tired or worried. Worst of all, she can only cry if something is sore, and it is heartbreaking to watch her scream in pain and not know what is hurting.

On 9th September I will be walking along the Thames with Maeve Finnegan and Marie Canny, as well as several other people who know and love somebody with Rett Syndrome. All money raised from this 25km walk will go towards the groundbreaking scientific team working on a cure for Rett Syndrome. 

When that happens, we hope that Eliza will learn to talk, improve her walking, be able to hold toys, play with her friends, learn to hold a pen, to skip, to run, to dance, and sing - all the things she has never had the chance to do.

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