Heartache for former Fleetwood woman whose baby may never grow up

Baby Savannah, who is now 11 months old, was diagnosed with Lissencephaly, a disorder in which the whole or parts of the brain's surface appear smooth, causing development delays which can vary in each case but are often major.

It means that Savannah's mental age is likely to remain at just five months old.

Life expectancy is short and many children with lissencephaly will die before the age of 10.

The condition is rare, at the rate of around 1.2 per 100,000 births.

Laura, 27, originally from Fleetwood, now lives in a flat in Barrow with partner Jonathan Mould, 35.

The couple have set up a fundraiser in a desperate bid to move into a house with more space outdoor space for their little girl to play in.

Laura, who still has family across the Fylde coast, said: "It is heartbreaking and she is such a lively and bonny little baby, it just destroyed us when she was diagnosed.

"The worst thing about this condition is that all the things you imagined doing with your child will probably never happen.

"I love the outdoors and I thought what life could be like, how I'd be able to take her mountain climbing and cycling.

"There's a chance she will never run to me or call me mummy.

"We're trying to be optimistic, we know that cases can vary - some children can't swallow properly but Savannah is doing alright at the moment.

"But some children only have just a part of her brain smooth - Savannah's is all smooth."

Laura met Jonathan when she went to work as an outdoor ranger at a Haven Holidays park in Flookburgh, near Grange Over Sands.

When Savannnah was born they felt blessed - it was Laura's first child but Jonathan already had two children, Savannah’s brother and sister Tyler-Jenson, aged seven, and Jessie, aged three..

But when the baby started developing seizures, a scan revealed disturbing results - and the rare condition was diagnosed.

Laura, who currently works as a cleaner, says that once she had recovered a little from the initial shock, her instinct was to fight for a better place to live.

They've read up on all they can about the condition and joined a Facebook group.

She said: "We're on the waiting list with Barrow Council but we're getting nowhere.

"The flat we live in now is small and damp and I'm terrified it will weaken Savannah and bring on more seizures, which could st her back .We just long for a place which is a better environment and more stimulating."

The couple are hoping any amount raised could help them offer money up front for a rented house.

The couple have set a target of £1,500 and their GoFundMe page is called ‘Savannahs hopes and dreams fund.'