Our beautiful Sophie has been defying the odds since before she was born.

My waters broke at just 17 weeks gestation, yet Sophie held on for another 11 weeks. She survived birth at 28 weeks - another miracle. But just five hours after being born, Sophie’s tiny 2lb 8oz body gave out, and her heart stopped. It was all too much.

The incredible team at Addenbrooke’s Hospital fought to bring her back - and they did. But after 19 minutes without oxygen, Sophie’s brain suffered a catastrophic bleed. Again, the odds were stacked against her. We were told, day after day, that she likely wouldn’t survive even to her original due date.

But Sophie has never cared much for statistics.

After nine long and eventful weeks in Addenbrooke’s NICU - battling MRSA and more - and a further six weeks in Colchester SCU, Sophie finally came home.

For the next year, we were told to “make the most of our time” - because she wouldn’t be with us for long. But once again, Sophie proved them wrong.

We were told she would never walk, talk, hear, or see.

Guess what? Sophie had other plans.

Fast forward to today - Sophie is 15 years old. She’s walking (with difficulty, but with incredible determination), talking, hearing, and seeing (with a little help from her glasses). She has faced countless battles - and won.

Sophie is now aware of her differences, and she dreams of standing up straight and walking like her friends. She wants to use her left hand to wash her own hair, get dressed by herself, and cut her own dinner.

Sadly, the therapy Sophie urgently needs isn’t available through the NHS.

The amazing team at Mini Wonders can help Sophie reach these goals. But as a private service, it comes at a cost - beyond what we can manage alone.

That’s why we’re reaching out - to friends, family, and kind strangers - for support.

If you can give anything at all, please know it will go directly toward helping Sophie access the care she needs and deserves. You’ll be helping her walk taller, move more freely, and live with the dignity and joy every child should have.

From the bottom of our hearts - thank you for being part of Sophie’s journey.