Emily, aged 5, has Rett Syndrome, a rare genetic disorder that causes severe learning and physical difficulties. The heart breaking thing is that she developed normally up until she was 18 months old and then she started regressing and losing the skills she had learned. She can no longer hold a spoon. She has lost the ability to speak. She can walk but needs constant help and support to avoid falling. Further symptoms and complications such as epilepsy could occur. Medical appointments are a fact of life. She needs care 24 hours a day. Our little girl has been through so much already but you should just see her smile!

An eye gaze machine could unlock a communication avenue which would be wonderful. I think of it as something like the one Stephen Hawking uses. The machine costs £10,000 and wouldn't it be wonderful if our little girl could learn to use one. Look it up on the internet. It's revolutionary and gives hope to a little girl who gets so frustrated because of not being able to communicate.

I wanted to have another coffee morning this year but the new kitchen is running behind schedule and isn't finished and so Just Giving is my alternative idea. My son Brian, wife Amy, and their three children Charlotte (10), Chloe (7) and Emily (5) are an inspiration to anyone who meets them. In this sometime horrid world that we live in everyone should meet and know them. We are so lucky that we do.

Vicki Kitson and David Williams