BRINGING up a baby with an incurable genetic disorder is not easy.
Imagine lying awake listening to her fragile breathing.
Seeing her undergo a complete heart reconstruction is harder still.
But every day, Amelia Mercer fills her mum with happiness.
Amelia was born six months ago with the rare DiGeorge syndrome.
"You wouldn't know there was anything wrong with her, she is the happiest baby," said mum Samantha, 20, of Bold Street, Runcorn. I just hope that she gets to lead a normal life."
Amelia nearly died three days after she was born.
Samantha found her getting colder and colder. "Her eyes were rolling around and her colour changed, she was pale and lifeless," she said.
Amelia was found to have two holes in her heart and other complications.
She needed a complete reconstruction of her heart.
Samantha said: "I was just devastated.
"I wanted to kill myself. All I wanted in life was a child and I really thought she wasn't going to make it through."
She was thankful for the skill and hard work of Dr Pozzi and the staff at Alder Hey.
Amelia was then diagnosed with DiGeroge syndrome and faces more operations throughout her life.
The incurable disorder affects only one in every 1,800 babies. Symptoms include a weak immune system, possible learning difficulties and unusual facial features - although Amelia only has the small, 'pixie' ears.
Samantha says she doesn't know how long Amelia can expect to live.
"I've not gone into all that because family members have said 'don't look because it will worry you too much'."
She said she doesn't tell other mothers she meets about Amelia's problems.
"I want them to see her as an individual, not a baby with DiGeorge syndrome. I want them to see her as Amelia."
