A GRIEVING mother is raising awareness of a rare disability after her “cheeky and flirty” little girl passed away.

Charlotte Jones, 20, died at home surrounded by her family earlier this month after she contracted pneumonia.

The Blackheath resident suffered from Rett Syndrome, a neurological disorder which left her unable to walk and talk.

Speaking for the first time since thher loss, mum Elaine Jones has said Charlotte’s short life has brought understanding and happiness to many people.

“Charlotte touched so many people, you can’t put that into words,” said the mum-of-three.

“I hate using the word normal but hearing about her life you get a sense of just how normal she was despite the syndrome.”

Charlotte was born on September 18, 1990 but her parents didn’t realise anything was the matter until nine months later.

And it wasn’t until she was two that she was diagnosed with Rett Syndrome, which affects around one in 10,000 girls.

“Charlotte didn’t actually walk despite showing signs she would, but she did begin to talk,” said Mrs Jones.

“She could say all the d words like dad, dog and duck.

“Charlotte also was able to feed herself but she lost all of that.

“Her skills began to disappear quickly. It became quite scary.

“You would watch her and think ‘she used to be able to do that yesterday and today she can’t’.”

Charlotte suffered from epileptic seizures and Mrs Jones said she feared the family would lose her to the fits, which were becoming more frequent.

And the family suffered a shock in 2008 when dad Simon passed away from a heart attack.

But despite the many challenges in Charlotte’s life, she lived her life to the full with her friends and family, eating Maltesers and listening to S Club 7 and McFly.

She also loved swimming, horse riding and attending church with her mum and sister Kathryn, 24, and brother Joshua, 15.

“Charlotte was a terrible flirt and showed a distinct preference for the opposite sex from a very early age,” said Mrs Jones.

“She had some very special men in her life and they would get the biggest smiles.

“If she was happy she would smile and if she was sad, she would cry, but in between there was so much more going on. Charlotte talked with her eyes.”

Charlotte, who attended Lexden Springs Special School, died only 12 days shy of her 21st birthday.

She was also to be a bridesmaid at her sister Kathryn’s***CORR*** wedding on Friday.

Mrs Jones added: “I wanted to give people an insight into Charlotte’s life to show what it’s like to live with Rett Syndrome.

“It’s hard for us because it’s a sudden death but for Charlotte I feel she’s finally free.

“We are all incredibly proud of her.”