Little Orla’s greatest gift – a family Christmas at home

A LITTLE girl with a genetic disorder who has endured heart surgery seven times has enjoyed her first christmas at home.

Two-year-old Orla Healy, from luton, was diagnosed with DiGeorge syndrome – where a small piece of one chromosome is missing – while her mother was pregnant with her.

Now Orla, right, and her parents, Tina and John, have been granted their wish of a ‘normal’ christmas thanks to the support of Keech Hospice care, whose staff ensured the family had all the medical support they needed to celebrate last Monday at home.

‘Because Orla has been so ill, we’ve never truly celebrated christmas together,’ says Tina, 34. ‘This year, with the help of the hospice, our wish came true and we got our first proper family christmas at home.

‘it’s been a difficult time but we’re coping much better thanks to the charity.’

On christmas Day, Orla even said Merry christmas in sign language in a moving video posted by the charity on Twitter.

The hospice has ensured that Orla has enjoyed many special moments in her short life, including sitting on a pony and going on a fairy hunt.

She has spent most of her young life in hospital. Doctors had to perform heart surgery on her when she was three weeks old, and she has suffered two cardiac arrests at home. Orla also has a severe breathing condition, which means a cold could be fatal. A tube in her throat helps keep her alive but makes speaking impossible.

To donate to the hospice, text ORLA17 and the amount you want to give to 70070.