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Kaci SmithA young British woman with an unknown illness has left her speechless and bedridden
Country:
 Great Britain |
Content:
- A Young Girl's Mysterious Decline
- From Health to Helplessness
- A Heartbreaking Regression
- A Mother's Agony
- A Medical Mystery
- Self-Harm and Isolation
- A Timeline of Deterioration
- Seeking Private Care
A Young Girl's Mysterious Decline
A young British girl has been left bedridden and unable to speak due to an unknown illness that has robbed her of everything.
From Health to Helplessness
In 72 hours, an 11-year-old girl went from being "fit and well" to being unable to speak, wear diapers, and remain mobile. Her mother, 30-year-old Emily Smith, said her daughter was a "fit and happy" girl before the mysterious illness struck in February 2017. "Within 72 hours of her speech becoming slurred she couldn't talk at all. She has now been mute for months," her mother said.
A Heartbreaking Regression
"She has lost the ability to read, write, walk, and use the toilet. She has gone back to square one. Keira literally can't do anything for herself anymore," Emily added. "She can't use a knife and fork. She is not eating. She can't play with anything. If you put something in front of her she goes completely feral. Everything frightens her all the time, which is also frightening for all of us."
A Mother's Agony
"It doesn't feel like we are living anymore. It's just heartbreaking. I don't know how much longer we can watch our child deteriorate and be trapped like this," Emily said. "I have often wished that whatever has happened to my child had happened to me instead."
A Medical Mystery
Emily, a mother of three, has had to give up work to care for Keira, who is now totally dependent on others. Doctors are still struggling to determine what is causing her condition. Emily and her husband John, a worker for Tesco, are waiting to see a specialist at London's Great Ormond Street Hospital, but the wait is reportedly up to six months. "We are living in hell" while we wait for a diagnosis, Emily said, fearful that Keira's condition will worsen.
Self-Harm and Isolation
Not only has her daughter retreated from society, she is also exhibiting self-harm tendencies. Keira frequently retreats to her room and refuses to see her friends. "Even when she is with her parents she doesn't want to interact with us," Emily said. "She has just given up and retreated into herself. "We cannot reach her anymore. Keira is gone. She is someone else."
A Timeline of Deterioration
Looking back, Emily said there were early warning signs in October 2016, when Keira turned 11. She started experiencing hearing problems and behavioral issues. After she lost her speech, her condition accelerated, leaving her bedridden. Keira was supposed to start secondary school in September 2017, but her parents were devastated to have to cancel this milestone.
Seeking Private Care
Emily and John are hoping to raise money so that Keira can access specialist private medical care while they wait for a definitive diagnosis. "We understand that we are very lucky to have the NHS backing us up," Emily said. "But the waiting list seems like it could take years." "Keira is getting worse. A couple of weeks ago she could at least choose from options when prompted, but she can't even do that now," she added. "Her brother Jackson is terrified it could happen to him. I can't tell him anything because I don't know what we are dealing with. "Even if it's something sinister, I just want to know." The family has been told Keira's private treatment could cost up to £250,000. Emily and John are aiming to raise £5,000 for now.
