Disabled Darwen girl moves home from hospital for the first time aged four (From Lancashire Telegraph)

Disabled Darwen girl moves home from hospital for the first time aged four

9:40am Monday 20th February 2012 in Darwen By Catherine Pye, Reporter

A FOUR-year-old who wasn’t expected to survive birth has been allowed to move home from hospital for the first time in her life.

Crystal Marie Perkins was born with spina bifida, hydrocephalus (water on the brain), severe kidney and lung problems, a cleft palate, a displaced hip, epilepsy, deformed feet, and she is partially sighted and cannot swallow properly.

She was discharged from the Royal Manchester Children’s Hospital only two weeks ago, and is now being looked after by her grandmother Pauline Perkins, 57.

Pauline, of Snape Street, Darwen, wants to raise money as a thank you to the hospital, and is embarking on a sponsored headshave.

She said: “We didn’t know about all of her problems before she was born, but we were were told that she wouldn’t survive birth.

“When she did survive, we were told that she wouldn’t live longer than two weeks. But after that they told us she’ll make it to 30 or 40-years-old.

“It’s a 24-hour job looking after her, but every day with Crystal is a blessing. Now I want to give something back to the hospital which has done so much for her.

“The first thing I thought of was to have a sponsored head shave. It’s dramatic, because I have shoulder-length hair, but it’s worth it.”

In her short life, Crystal has undergone 15 operations, including having two shunts in her head to release fluid on the brain.

She had stopped breathing four times because of a poor swallowing reflex.

Pauline said: “She’s almost died on me four times. When I have fed her milk it’s gone into her lungs and I’ve had to give her the kiss of life. Now she is fed through a special tube into her tummy.”

Crystal’s illnesses mean she is currently only as big as an average 18-month-old and cannot talk, but communicates by opening her mouth to say yes.

Pauline, who also brings up Crystal’s 14-year-old brother and her 15-year-old cousin, added: “She goes to Newfield Special School in Shadsworth and they’re fantastic with her.

“When she comes home I’ll ask if she’s done wheelchair racing or had a nice day, and if she opens her mouth I know she has.

“She has her own little ways and she doesn’t like loud noises, but responds to people’s voices. I recorded people’s messages to her when she was in hospital. When she heard her uncle Andy’s voice, her eyes lit up.”

Donations for the sponsored head shave can be made at CJs Cafe in Market Street, the hairdressers in Darwen Market Hall, Wendy’s Cafe in Darwen Market, Union House in St Peter Street, and Darwen Academy.

No date has yet been set for the event.