Just4Children are fundraising to provide Esther with therapy and specialist equipment to make her life more accessible.

Esther's Story ❤️

In 2018, Esther was born a happy, healthy baby and life was perfect. For 14 months, Esther and her family enjoyed all the usual moments as a family — until everything changed in November 2019. A sudden illness left Esther severely unwell. She lost weight rapidly and, within days, could no longer walk, talk, or swallow.

After nearly four weeks in Addenbrooke’s Hospital with no answers, genetic tests revealed an extremely rare immune deficiency. They were rushed to Great Ormond Street Hospital, where she underwent more scans, surgery for a Hickman Line, and eventually a brain biopsy.

The results shattered the family. Esther had contracted one of the rarest viruses in the world, which caused encephalitis. Only seven known cases existed none had survived. We were told to prepare for the worst and transferred to a children’s hospice.

Miraculously, after two weeks, Esther was brought home — something no one ever thought possible. Slowly, against all odds, she began to stabilize. Today, she continues to fight bravely every day.

Esther now lives with severe disabilities — epilepsy, vision impairment, no speech, and no voluntary movement — but she is full of joy, humor, and light. She’s truly is an inspiration.

We are looking to get Esther a specialist car seat and to help her back to private physiotherapy where she had been showing amazing progress.