We'll never hear Mia say the words mum or dad (From Warrington Guardian)

We'll never hear Mia say the words mum or dad

THE father of a five-year-old girl who has a rare neurological disorder has spoken of his devastation when he learnt he would never hear her call him 'daddy'.

Mia Penlington was diagnosed with Angelman's Syndrome just three days after her third birthday. The genetic condition means that she will never be able to speak.

The syndrome can only be spotted at around the second or third year of a child's life, by the inability to learn simple milestones.

Dad Stephen, of Cooper Avenue, Longford, said: "We were looking for normal milestones that just weren't there.

"She wasn't picking up the things that a child that age should be. She wasn't walking or talking and her motor neurone and balance skills weren't what they should have been. She's a very jerky child anyway and that was made worse by the condition."

In common with other Angelman's children Mia is rarely without a smile and is a radiantly happy child.

Stephen added: "One of the hardest things me and her mum had to deal with was that we'd never hear her say the words mum or dad. It's pretty heartbreaking.

"The only good thing to come out of it is that like a lot of Angelman's children she'll never know what it is to be sad or to grieve. Everything makes her smile. She doesn't know sadness and she finds fun in everything she does. She also has no concept of fear which means we have to keep a close eye on her all the time."

Stephen is currently trying to raise money to buy a special bed for Mia based at her mum's home in Orford. He said: "At the moment she won't stay in her normal bed and she keeps hurting herself so we're trying to get our hands on something that will suit her.

"She only sleeps for a couple of hours a day because she lacks the melatonin that makes you naturally sleepy. She'll wake up after a couple of hours as if she's had 10 hours' sleep."