Meet Catherine, a beautiful, joyful little girl born in September 2022. A doting sister to her two big brothers, she brought happiness and love into their world. But at just 8 weeks old, everything changed - Catherine began experiencing multiple seizures a day, sometimes more than 15.

After months of hospital visits, MRIs, EEGs, lumbar punctures, and genetic testing, Catherine was diagnosed in November 2023 with CDKL5 - a rare genetic condition affecting 1 in 60,000 children worldwide. CDKL5 is crucial for brain development, and its absence means that milestones many parents take for granted - sitting up, crawling, walking, and even communicating - are incredibly difficult for Catherine.

The Challenges Catherine Faces:

Severe Developmental Delays – She cannot yet sit unaided, crawl, or walk.

Cortical Visual Impairment (CVI) – Her brain struggles to process what her eyes see, impacting her ability to engage with the world.

Tube Feeding (NG-fed) – Due to an unsafe swallow, food was entering her airways, leading to repeated chest infections and a high risk of choking.

How You Can Help

Catherine’s journey will be filled with specialist therapy, essential home adaptations, and life-changing equipment - all of which come at an overwhelming cost. Her family is aiming to raise £100,000 to give her the best chance at a brighter future, where she can one day sit, move independently, explore her home, and communicate with the world around her.

Every donation, every share, every message of support makes a difference. Together, we can help Catherine reach the milestones that every child deserves.

Donate today. Share her story. Be part of Catherine’s journey.

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