THE FAMILY of a severely disabled Newlyn girl are launching an appeal to help her express herself.
Ysella Reeves' serious condition, which has baffled doctors seeking a diagnosis, leaves her needing round-the-clock care.
The planned campaign will be called Ysella's Voice, with the aim of raising funds to help buy a computer to read the four-year-old's eye movements. It is hoped the gaze-controlled device, which costs up to £17,000, will help Ysella, who is 4, explain her needs to parents Chloe, her full-time carer, and builder Olly.
With symbols like 'mum', 'dad', 'food' or even 'my tummy hurts' and 'I need turning', it can give her a means of communication for the first time.
Although the paperwork for the campaign is still being completed, it's already been given a boost by local residents who have donated money to help the family, who live in Lower Gurnick Road. People as far afield as Wales have also offered help after reading the article on Ysella in The Cornishman on November 4.
Chloe, aged 29, says her daughter has rapidly got to grips with the special computer they've been lent to test by Curnow Community Special School in Redruth.
"Ysella is already doing it straight away; she is so switched on," she said with pride.
"Her eyes are really good at following."
Neurologist
The youngster, who has problems breathing and needs a suction device to compensate for her weak swallow reflex, has yet to be diagnosed with a specific disorder.
A neurologist has offered to share her details with specialists around the world this year, in the hope of finding answers to her condition which could bring some peace of mind to her parents.
Chloe, who is also mum to nine-year-old Leo, Josh, aged 7, and Thomas, 6, says winter is hard on Ysella, who suffers from chest infections.
But so far she hasn't had to be admitted to hospital, with Chloe administering antiobiotics at home. The family, who were spending Christmas with relatives in Zennor, is now looking forward to a positive 2011 getting Ysella's Voice off the ground.
There are plans for a website and Chloe's hoping to hosting a special fundraising party for her 30th birthday in June, so her daughter can finally let people into her world.
article copyright THE CORNISHMAN