Battling baby Jessica Birdsall is looking forward to a bright new year after confounding doctors by fighting a rare life-threatening condition.

Little Jessica will see her first birthday next week - a date mum Vicky thought her daughter might never reach after she was diagnosed as suffering from Toriello Carey Syndrome.

The condition is believed to have affected only seven children worldwide.

In fact, her plight has so touched regulars at The Forge pub on Queens Park Avenue, Billericay, that they are handing over part of the proceeds of their Christmas events to Little Haven Hospice in Rayleigh, where she is a regular visitor.

Because of her condition, Jessica has a hole in her heart, brain damage, and she has to be fed through a tube in her stomach.

She also has an airway inserted in her throat and needs constant help with her breathing.

Single parent Vicky, 26, who lived in Billericay until she moved to Basildon two months ago, has dedicated her life to giving her daughter 24 hour care. She only has the occasional break when Little Haven lightens the load by taking care of Jessica.

Now Vicky's determination has been rewarded after Jessica's astonished doctors confirmed that while she is still not out of danger, she is beginning to overcome her terrible problems.

Delighted Vicky said: "The doctors are amazed at how she is developing. They have given me a lot of encouragement for the future, saying that she is doing so well that they are expecting her to be drawing her pension like the rest of us."

There is still a long way to go, but the news comes as a glimmer of hope after a nightmare 12 months for Vicky, who had to give up her job as an auxiliary nurse to look after Jessica.

She said: "There have been a few times we nearly lost her.

''She stopped breathing on me when she was four-weeks-old and I had to resuscitate her on my own at home. It was horrible. But she's my daughter. She's fantastic, such a character and I would do anything for her."

One of Vicky's biggest problems remains transport. The amount of equipment Jessica needs rules out public transport and she can't afford a car.

If you can help, or you know someone who can, give her a call on 01268 284032.

Happy and hopeful: Mum Vicky with brave Jessica.

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