Elisabeth’s SMA journey

Hello, we’re Sarah and Jenny, Laura’s very good friends…..

Laura became a new mum to Elisabeth, in August 2024, who sadly had a very bumpy start to life. Laura was constantly taking her back and forth to the doctors or to A&E, before Elisabeth was finally diagnosed with SMA Type 1 at the age of 7 months.

Spinal Muscular Atrophy is a genetic condition (that 1 in 40 carry without ever knowing, unless you happen to have a baby with another unknowing carrier), which results in the deterioration of muscle strength and control.

This impacts arms, legs, head control, swallowing, lung function and anything else which relies upon muscles. Without treatment, SMA Type 1 babies do not make it to their 2nd birthday. As you can imagine, upon hearing Elisabeth’s diagnosis, Laura and her husband Mark’s entire world crumbled down around them.

At almost a year old Elisabeth is unable to sit, roll, support her own head or swallow. Laura is completely heartbroken and as yet, has been unable to return to work in the capacity she had planned.

Elisabeth will require a huge amount of support her whole life, so we have been begging Laura to set this page up for months. But she’s stubborn and doesn’t like asking people for help, so we’re asking for her (we’ve also seen all of your kind comments on social media asking to help!).

Elisabeth is a beautiful, happy and content baby, she doesn’t deserve the hand she’s been dealt, but Laura and Mark are determined to give her the best possible chance at a happy life. So, ultimately this is Elisabeth’s Go Fund Me, to provide her with equipment, specialists and experiences which will offer her a better quality of life and chance to reach her full potential.

From Laura’s besties, thank you for helping her precious Elisabeth.