Mia was born on 31st July 2014 and is now 12 years old. She arrived after a completely normal pregnancy, but at about 10 months old she was diagnosed with a severe visual impairment (blindness). At first we thought this was her only condition and that she would catch up with other children in her own time. After a number of MRI scans at Great Ormond Street, we learned that Mia's brain was not developing as it should.

Today, Mia is non-verbal and cannot sit up unsupported, crawl or walk. She receives her nutrition through a PEG feeding tube, which is simply part of her daily routine. A few years ago she had a 9-hour operation at the Evelina Hospital in London to strengthen her hip joints. Her condition hasn't changed, but Mia has. She is growing into a young woman, and every bit of growth makes everyday life harder. Lifting, moving, bathing, travelling and days out all now need specialist equipment.

Our aim as parents

Mia may not be able to see the world the way others do, but that has never stopped us wanting her to experience it. As her mum and dad, our biggest aim is to give Mia as full a life as we possibly can. We want her to feel the sand at the beach, the wind on a bike ride and the sounds of a busy day out, and to be right there with us for family holidays and celebrations. We don't want Mia's world to shrink as she gets bigger. We want it to keep growing with her.

What we're raising money for now

With your help, we've already bought an all-terrain wheelchair, which costs about as much as a new small car. It means Mia can come to the beach with us and join our bike rides, and it has opened up a whole new world for her.

Mia is quickly outgrowing the equipment she has, and the things she needs now are bigger, more specialised and more expensive. They include:

Larger wheelchairs and supportive seating

Hoists and moving and handling equipment, so she can be moved safely and comfortably

Bathing and personal care equipment suited to her size

Sensory equipment for home, so she can explore the world through sound and touch

Adaptations and equipment that let her come with us on trips, holidays and days out

Adapted experiences

As well as equipment, we want to use the money for Mia to take part in adapted activities and experiences, the kind of special moments every child deserves. With The Wave Project in Devon, Mia was able to go surfing. Feeling the waves and the sea around her was something we never imagined she would get to do, and it's a memory we will treasure forever. Experiences like this are often costly once you add specialist sessions, travel and accessible accommodation, but they give Mia the chance to feel, hear and enjoy the world in ways that truly light her up.

How you can help

We welcome any donation, fundraiser or event, big or small. Every pound helps Mia keep up with her own growth and gives her more chances to experience new places, sounds and adventures alongside her family.

Thank you so much for reading Mia's story and for everything you've already done. Your support means the world to Mia and to us.

7.5% of all donations to Tree of Hope in relation to this appeal will be allocated to the general charitable purposes of Tree of Hope to cover our core operating costs.

If we raise insufficient funds, or surplus funds, they will be used, if appropriate, to fund support for our child’s needs in accordance with Tree of Hope’s charitable objectives. If, in those circumstances, we are unable to use all or part of the funds for the benefit of our child, any funds that cannot be used will be transferred to be used for the general charitable purposes of Tree of Hope.