Smiling her way through ill-health (From Croydon Guardian)

Smiling her way through ill-health

9:39am Thursday 9th August 2007 in

• Skip social links
• Print
• Email
•  

When Ashleigh was five years old, doctors diagnosed her with an illness which prevents hormone growth.

The St Peter's Primary School pupil was very small for her age and not developing in the way she should have been.

Her mum, Rosemary, said her daughter had been bullied and had to endure endless questions about her size and development.

Despite this, Rosemary says she still smiles her way through life and does not let things get her down.

"She is only eight and she encourages adults. She always has words of love to strengthen somebody.”

Rosemary Stephens

After a long battle, the diagnosis came as a relief for Rosemary, who had long believed her daughter was not growing as quickly as other children.

She said: "When I looked at my two daughters and saw that Nicole, who is three years younger then Ashleigh, was taller than her, it was obvious something was not right.

"In the end, after campaigning to the hospital, we were told Ashleigh only has a quarter of a pituitary gland."

The pituitary is a small gland in the base of the brain which controls hormones, growth, blood pressure and thyroid gland function.

She has lived with the condition for three years and is gradually learning to come to terms with daily injections and regular medication.

Rosemary said: "Ashleigh is lucky to be alive. The doctors told us her body should have shut down through stress, but we thank God she is still here - he obviously wanted to keep her with us."

Ashleigh was nominated for our Child of Courage award by family friend Jean Bryan, whose children attend the same school.

She said: "Despite her frequent visits to the hospital, she manages to stay on par with her classmates. Most importantly, it's her attitude and the things she says and does. She is only eight and she encourages adults. She always has words of love to strengthen somebody."

Rosemary added: "Ashleigh still asks questions about her disease, but is generally coping really well with it. She has had problems at school, but she also has a lot of friends and has built up a great support network.

"She is just a normal eight-year-old and she is starting to develop normally now. She is always happy and anyone who crosses her path always comes away smiling."

• To nominate your own Croydon Champion click here.