Tarbolton's Hope Fights On

Jul 25 2008 by Stuart Wilson

BEING told you suffer from a life-threatening disease would be enough to break the spirit of most.

But when you get the chilling news as an 11-year-old, the verdict seems far more surreal.

Fittingly, a girl called Hope has chosen to fight her illness rather than admit defeat.

Now she’s pledging to live every day with a smile as she shows signs of winning the battle.

The Tarbolton schoolgirl was diagnosed last year with systemic scheroderma – a skin condition rarely found in children.

The disease can potentially kill adults and Hope was warned about fatality when given the shattering news.

She admitted: “I had to see lots of doctors and go for countless tests; it never seemed to end.

“It was hard because I wasn’t able to do things my friends were doing and felt left behind.

“Physically I was getting so tired and my joints were really stiff.

“It was tough at first but I’m smiling now. You just have to.”

Hope was given the stark news that she faced weekly chemotherapy injections to try to turn the tide.

And the initial three-year course could last her entire life, depending on the level of her progress.

Mum Wendy revealed: “The chemo drug helps to slacken the tissue in Hope’s skin.

“Before the treatment, her hands were like claws and she had very little flexibility.

“She still can’t open a bottle of juice but the improvement has been amazing.”

Hope’s condition includes Raynaud’s phenomenon, meaning her hands and feet suffer from blood circulation problems.

Organ failure is a danger but she’s battling through and has started her own card-making project to say thanks to the medics.

Hope, now 12, handed over a cheque for £300 to consultant Paul Galea at Yorkhill after she sold her handmade cards.

She said: “I love making the cards and it also helps with my hands so it’s good for me as well.

“And I’m always watching the Craft channel on Sky to get new ideas for designs!”

Wendy added: “We owe a big thanks to everyone who’s supported Hope.

“This is more than just a hobby to her now – it’s physically helping her and that’s so important for us.”

To buy Hope’s cards, which cover all occasions, call 01292 541910.