Fighter has bounced back from adversity numerous times
AIMEE was two years old when parents Mark and Wendy noticed she was lethargic, had lost her appetite and started to bruise. Tests revealed she had leukaemia.
Despite the devastating news, the family remained positive that Aimee would beat the disease. After two years of chemotherapy at the Royal Manchester Children’s Hospital, she seemed to be winning the fight, her hair grew back and she started primary school.
Six months later, the cancer returned. Her only chance of survival was a bone marrow transplant. None of her family members were a match, and the Anthony Nolan Trust, which keeps a worldwide record of donors, could not find a match.
Mum Wendy started a massive awareness campaign, and just before Christmas 1997 a match was found. After surgery Aimee spent five weeks in hospital isolation followed by six months in semi-isolation at home.
Her recovery was given a boost by a surprise visit by David and Victoria Beckham. She went from strength to strength, returned to school and at the age of 10 was given the all-clear from cancer.
But months after her 13th birthday, she was diagnosed with myelitis – a neurological disorder where the brain and spinal chord swell, causing paralysis.
Doctors said if Aimee did survive she could be in a wheelchair for the rest of her life. Aimee’s fighting spirit pulled her through once more and after three-months she took her first faltering steps.
At the age of 16 Aimee left school, got her dream job as a nursery nurse and met Kyle, who proposed a few years later.
They thought their dreams had come true when Aimee, then 21, got pregnant.
Sadly, at 22 weeks, complications meant she lost baby Hope. Two years later Aimee became pregnant again. When she went for her 20-week scan, the baby had no heartbeat. Aimee had to go through labour knowing Charlie would be stillborn.
Tests revealed she had PNH – paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria – a life-threatening blood disease where the body’s cells are attacked by the immune system, affecting just five in a million people.