The Courier & Advertiser (Perth and Perthshire Edition)
Santa’s special visit for brave little Kinsley
Santa Claus and a few festive friends helped make some special Christmas memories for a little girl from Angus as she prepares for vital surgery.
Kinsley Mcmillan was diagnosed with a rare brain tumour in September last year, when she was just five months old.
Now 21 months, the Forfar youngster is preparing for major surgery next month to prolong her life. Without it, doctors say she may only live for two or three months.
Kinsley has already had crucial surgery and gruelling chemotherapy and in January almost died during surgery. She spent another three months in hospital.
The tumour has left her completely blind.
On Monday the brave youngster was paid a visit by Santa, the Grinch, a snowman and a group of elves.
Kinsley’s mum Eden, 21, said: “Everyone was so excited about the visit so although Kinsley couldn’t see the special visitors she could pick up on everyone else’s excitement and she knew they were here.
“It was amazing that they could visit Kinsley at home.
“She doesn’t really like going out and being among too many people.
“Home is Kinsley’s safe place so it was brilliant Santa and the others visited her here. This has given us all some lovely Christmas memories.”
The visit was arranged by Bobbi Murray, a Forfar woman who follows a blog about Kinsley’s illness, called Kisses from Kinsley.
Kinsley’s gran, Karen Kennedy, said: “For now we want Kinsley to be happy and make as many memories as possible with her.
“She has been having music and beauty therapy this month, as well as the visit from Santa and his helpers.
“We are going to treasure every second this Christmas. We are so grateful to Bobbi and her helpers.
“Kinsley isn’t really up for going out and about right now, she just wants to cuddle and kiss her family at home where she feels safe.”
Kinsley and Eden are now preparing for further surgery at the Royal Hospital for Children and Young People in Edinburgh on January 5.
The life-threatening operation could last up to 12 hours and aims to remove 80% of the tumour, called an optic nerve glioma, from Kinsley’s brain.
Eden admitted she is dreading the surgery but has agreed to go ahead as she knows it is the only chance to prolong her daughter’s life.
She explained that the surgery will not cure Kinsley but the hope is it will make her live long enough to allow other possible treatments to become available in future.
Eden said: “It will be a very risky and a big operation.
“I hate that she has to go through this but it really is a last resort for us.”