HOW TO HELP

EVEN as a registered nurse, Mel Inglis had never heard of lissencephaly until she was told her daughter Laura had the rare brain malformation.

Medics said the word meant “smooth brain”, and suggested she pronounce it ‘listen carefully’.

It is estimated one in 100,000 babies have lissencephaly, their brain failing to develop as it should in utero.

The distinctive folds and curves on the surface of the brain are missing and significant developmental delays result.

Babies born with lissencephaly often fail to achieve the standard milestones expected of a threemonth old, and seizures and respiratory problems are common concern.

But symptoms vary greatly and improvements in medical science offer hope for parents, like Mel and Jake Inglis.

Aside from the support the Inglis receive from Kids Plus and Very Special Kids, family, friends and Jake’s employer, the couple have booked Laura in for treatment at Sydney’s Neurological And Physical Abilitation Centre.

“We hope to teach Laura how to use her body and eventually learn ways to communicate with us to improve her quality of life,” Mel said.

The initial treatment at NAPA will cost more than $30,000, so extended family members have started fundraising.

Their first event will be an auction at The Yardz hotel, Geelong West, on October 30.

To donate or for information, visit the LovingLauraLissencep haly Facebook page.