Vote now to help Lucie win award
2/2/12 SM Lucie Warren 9 of Bedhampton who is in the final three of a competition called 'Big Thank You Award' run by Practical Parenting Magazine. Pictured with her mother Louise Warren 29. Picture: Paul Jacobs (120392-1)
SHE’S spent her whole life in and out of hospital, breathes through a tube in her neck and has had a bone transplant inside her jaw.
And now brave Lucie Warren has been rewarded for her strength through it all by reaching the final three in a national inspirational kids competition.
The nine-year-old suffers from a rare condition called Goldenhar syndrome, which meant her jaw and throat area did not develop properly while she was in the womb.
Her airways did not open, and at nine days old Lucie had to have a tracheotomy to allow her to breathe.
Since then, she’s had numerous hospital appointments for treatment and infections, and is now undergoing major surgery to reconstruct her half-developed jawbone.
Lucie’s mum, Louise, 29, said: ‘It’s been hard for her but she’s been so good.
‘She just gets on with it, and has coped brilliantly with something that most adults couldn’t bear.
‘She does get upset sometimes when she finds it difficult to eat but she hardly ever moans and has been so brave through everything.’
The reconstructive surgery involved Lucie having a section of bone taken out of her hip and placed inside her jaw.
Every day she has to turn screws in the side of her face to reopen the wound and encourage the bone to grow. And she still has at least three more operations to undergo before her jaw will be fully functional and her airways open.
In recognition of how well she is coping, Louise nominated her for the Big Thank You Child of the Year Award, run by Practical Parenting Magazine.
In her entry form Louise, of Chestnut Avenue, Bedhampton, spoke of her pride in Lucie, pointing out that she has been through more at the age of nine than most would in a lifetime.
Lucie’s courage won over the hearts of the judges and she is now one of three finalists. The winner will be selected by public vote.
‘It would be a huge boost to Lucie’s confidence if she won,’ Louise added.
‘And it would help her see just how well she’s done.
‘We’re all really proud of her, she has been so grown up about it all and no matter what the outcome of the competition is, she will always be a winner in our eyes.’
To vote for Lucie to win the title of child of the year in the Big Thank You Awards, and £200, see madeformums.com/ bigthankyou.
Voting closes on April 11.
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Friday 25 May 2012
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Comments
There are 7 comments to this article
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udontknow
Monday, February 20, 2012 at 02:48 PMThank you I voted and Louise she truly is amazing and Brave tell her there are many people who love her and are thinking of her. One of my adopted sisters had problems with the clef in her upper mouth and had to have many surgeries to correct it and she was brave and is one amazing girl as well. I had a transplant almost 5 years ago so any transplant recipient is part of the family,good luck to her and thanks.
BrigitteB
Wednesday, February 15, 2012 at 12:35 AMI found it and voted here - http:www.madeformums.comcompetitionsthe-big-thank-you-awards-2012711.html
BrigitteB
Wednesday, February 15, 2012 at 12:19 AMLouise, I am sharing this on my facebook page! I'll try to get you as many votes as I can... I'm in Connecticut, USA. But I grew up in Bedhampton (Park Lane) - I moved over here in 1987, but will always feel like England is my home! Please let me know how things work out for you and Lucie! xoxo Do you have a facebook page for this?
Luciesmum1
Tuesday, February 14, 2012 at 10:55 PMHi I am Louise Lucies mum, thank you so much for your kind words, here is the link to vote www.madeformums.combigthankyou. Thank you so much for your support her dad and I are so very proud of Lucie and we think she is truly amazing. X
BrigitteB
Tuesday, February 14, 2012 at 05:15 PMGoing to go vote now... I grew up in Bedhampton! Good luck to you both and I am proud of such a brave young lady! x
BrigitteB
Tuesday, February 14, 2012 at 05:04 PMThis is where you go to vote! http:www.madeformums.com
udontknow
Tuesday, February 14, 2012 at 01:08 AMWhen I try to go to that page to vote it says page not found?. Way to go Lucie,keep up the good work and hope you get better real soon you are one brave girl.
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