Orla Jane Melvin was born in August 2011. At only 2 weeks old she was diagnosed as having hydrocephalous which stemmed from a condition known as congenital toxoplasmosis. An operation to insert a shunt in her head at just 2 weeks old saved her life but the resulting injury to her brain has left Orla with various complications. Orla cannot consume liquids orally and has difficulty swallowing so receives her nutrition and daily medication through a gastric tube. The injury has also left her non-ambulant and she has limited movement in all four of her limbs. Toxoplasmosis is known to affect sight and Orla has been diagnosed as being partially sighted almost completely blind in one eye and impaired vison in the other. A lasting effect of her brain injury is that she suffers from epileptic seizures and requires round the clock care. As well as all these physical limitations it has affected her ability to learn and communicate.

Orla has just turned 7 in August, and despite all that she has to cope with on a daily basis Orla wakes up every day with a smile and her cheeky personality brings love and laughter to those fortunate enough spend time with her. She has become a little chatterbox, who tells everyone her name, and asks how they are. She likes to get her nails painted and loves chocolate.