Breanna is like a lot of other teenage girls. She’s funny, sassy and has a penchant for the colour pink.  

After celebrating her birthday in July, she’s still surrounded by shimmering balloons; enjoying the way they move and catch the light while she relaxes on the sofa.  

But behind it all is a 14-year-old who has battled more in her short life than the rest of us can imagine encountering in a lifetime.  

In her first four years, Breanna endured hours upon hours of procedures and came close to losing her life at least twice.  

But warrior Breanna pulled through. 

Mum Sarah had no idea that her daughter would be born with such complex additional needs. 

Her pregnancy went as expected until 20 weeks, when she discovered Breanna had Bilateral Talipes; a condition which causes Breanna’s feet to turn inwards. 

After she was born it was clear Breanna had further disabilities and she was taken into the special care unit.  

She was diagnosed with Arthrogryposis; a condition which causes her arms and legs to contract and bend, and severe Scoliosis of the spine and hips. 

The condition also causes Breanna’s hips to be dislocated, fingers to be crossed over, and means that she has fragile bones which previously caused two leg fractures.  

Doctors have also said Breanna has a very rare condition called Opitz Trigonocephaly, which is also known as C Syndrome.  

This means that Breanna is nonverbal and has very limited sight and hearing amongst many other complications of the condition.  

Sarah said: “Breanna was my first child, and I was a fish out of water. I was crying, I didn’t know what to do or what anyone expected of me.  

“At the time there wasn’t much information about Breanna’s condition and I came out of hospital with just one A4 sheet of information.  

“That was all the knowledge I had, and it was a huge learning curve.”  

Just after her third birthday, Breanna’s family thought they would have to say goodbye and had her christened in hospital. 

“She was so poorly, but she came through it all and got better,” Sarah said.  

“I’m so proud of her; she’s gone through so much in her little life.” 

Despite everything, you’ll rarely see Breanna without a smile. Sarah explained how cheeky and clever her girl is, and just how much she loves shopping and going to school.  

However, visiting Bluebell Wood for the first time was still an enormous step.  

“When the hospice was first mentioned, I didn’t want respite. Breanna had been so ill and I wanted to keep her with me all the time,” she said.  

“But as Breanna is getting older, I recognise she needs more support. 

“When we got to Bluebell Wood, it was brilliant. I could hear Breanna laughing as the Care Team took her up and down the corridor.  It was a relief to have someone take on her care. I chilled out and it gave me peace of mind knowing help was there. 

“When I first heard of Bluebell Wood, I thought it was a sad place for palliative care and saying goodbye, but it’s not." 

“Everyone is happy and cheerful and they do so many inclusive activities. If you can support Bluebell Wood, it helps families like ours tremendously.”  

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