Christmas treat for little Lexi.CHRISTMAS has come early for one little girl who may never walk or talk. Lexi Hailstone hail·stone n. A pellet of hail. hailstone Noun a pellet of hail Noun 1. hailstone - small pellet of ice that falls during a hailstorm , who will celebrate her first birthday next week, has had a special chair made to measure so she can sit upright on her own. The youngster, of St Thomas Close, Brackla, Bridgend, suffers from the rare condition 1p36 Deletion Syndrome deletion syndrome Clinical genetics Any of number of hereditary conditions caused by a major loss of chromosome segments; all are rare, often have microcephaly, and an IQ < 50 and is reliant on costly specialist equipment to further her development. Her delighted parents, Natasha Martin and Dale Hailstone, are looking forward to a festive fes·tive adj. 1. Of, relating to, or appropriate for a feast or festival. 2. Merry; joyous: a festive party. season with the family. Natasha, 20, said the pounds 1,700 Leckey Squiggles chair will make a big difference. "It's marvellous and gives her the independence she needs," she said. "It pushes down and up and can tilt back and forth. It's doing her good and I can feel the strength in her when she comes out of it." Lexi celebrates her first birthday on New Year's Eve and will spend Christmas at her grandmother's house in Bryntirion. "It will be lovely, and she'll be able to sit at the table with the whole family," said Natasha. "When she's at the table you can't see the chair and it's as if she's sat normally. I'm so happy she's got it - it was like Christmas had come early." Lexi's parents have battled to raise funds for their "little princess Little Princess may refer to:
Donations are still coming in, from dozens of companies and staff at Parc Prison, who raised pounds 679. And fundraisers are still collecting cash from two sponsored walks. "I was going to get her a swing for Christmas but they cost about pounds 500," said Natasha. In the meantime Adv. 1. in the meantime - during the intervening time; "meanwhile I will not think about the problem"; "meantime he was attentive to his other interests"; "in the meantime the police were notified" meantime, meanwhile , Lexi is looking forward to a Christmas with a Disney twist. "We're trying to get her a giant Disney castle cake in time for her birthday, and I'd like to thank everybody for their support - they've been marvellous," added Natasha. "The biggest thank you of all goes to my mum, who set the campaign going. Without her, all this would not have happened." CAPTION(S): DONATIONS: Lexi in her new chair with mum Natasha Martin and dad Dale Hailstone |
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