TAKING IT IN HER STRIDE

available via the NHS and two grand was a lot of money.

‘We’ll find it,’ Ben reassured me. ‘She will have her helmet.’

Despite Ben’s reassurance I was still feeling frustrated.

Posting on Facebook, I vented to my friends and family, asking for advice.

Start a Gofundme, all the comments read.

Knowing I would do anything for my children, I created the Helmetforjessie fundraiser with a knot of anticipation in my stomach.

But by the end of the first day, we raised £450. I was elated! ‘We might do this!’ I said.

In the beginning of November, we reached our target of £3,000 after an anonymous donor generously donated £900.

It was incredible – I am so grateful to whoever they are.

We could now pay for the special helmet.

We also had a fundraising event at our local, raising £695.

The community was amazing, with people donating days of labour, chocolates and a TV, with karaoke alongside.

We plan to donate the money to other children who need helmets, as well as to the Trevor Mann Baby Unit.

In late November we went back to London to get Jessie’s helmet fitted – we had to wait until she turned four months.

It was surreal finally seeing it put on her head.

I had blamed myself for a while – I couldn’t help but think it was because of how I was carrying her.

But now I’m fixing her. Currently, her forehead is not straight, her ears aren’t symmetrical, and her eyes are a little wonky.

The helmet will realign this. Sporting her helmet, Jessie is not the slightest bit bothered.

She has to wear it for 23 hours a day but makes no fuss. She can even sleep peacefully with it on.

But, we’ve noticed the helmet is marking her head a little, so it may need readjusting soon.

Her siblings have taken it all their stride, too.

They’re very gentle with her and know how important her helmet is.

‘It’s to help Jessie’s head,’ we told them, and they understood straight away.

She’s such a smiley and happy baby and is very chilled.

We have regular check-ups with the clinic to make sure the helmet is doing its job – but I’m already feeling positive.

Her facial symmetry has already gone from 2.5cm to the right to 1.8cm.

We want to get it to zero. My little girl has been amazing – there’s nothing she can’t handle.

Her special helmet is already changing her head