Brave Erin is so bubbly, despite illness
Erin Guild won The Child Bravery Award at last year’s ceremony Here is her story... Beaming Erin Guild tumbles off the school bus exhausted into her mother’s arms every day.
And as Emma carries her beautiful daughter into the house - it marks another daily triumph against a rare disease.
Erin is living with cystinosis - an inherited condition which leaves her dependent on 13 doses of drugs every 24 hours.
Erin, eight, of New Cumnock, did a twirl on stage as she accepted her trophy at the West FM event.
Mum Emma said: “Afterwards she asked me: ‘ Mum are you proud’ and I said of course I am always proud.”
The seven- year- old was diagnosed with cystinosis at 14 months and her family hope a medical breakthrough will extend her life.
Emma, 43, said: “Erin has a life- limiting illness. We are just hoping that something will come up. We try to be upbeat. We don’t want people feeling sorry for Erin. We deal with it and Erin deals with it.”
She is one of only 250 people fighting the genetic disease in the UK.
It occurs when the body fails to remove excess amino acid cystine and leads to kidney problems as well as affecting the thyroid gland, eyes and liver. Harmful crystals have built up in her organs. Her parents hope she will undergo a stem cell replacement eventually.
The whole family, including farmer dad Stevie, 39, little brother Bruce, four, and Sooty the dog pull together to support her.
Emma said: “Bruce is fantastic with Erin and helps her with the daily routine. And Sooty our cocker spaniel just knows when Erin is poorly.”
Despite her restricted lifestyle the little blue- eyed girl bounces into school at New Cumnock Primary.
Emma said: “She just wants to be among friends and is very creative and bubbly. Even when she is having a rubbish day, she never comes home early or admits defeat.”