A TEENAGER'S remarkable recovery from two life-threatening illnesses could help save the lives of other seriously ill youngsters.

Fourteen-year-old Aimee Read collapsed suddenly and was left paralysed just under a year ago, not long after she caught a cold.

Doctors diagnosed the Haslingden High School pupil as having transverse myelitis, an extremely rare and often fatal auto immune disorder, which causes the spinal cord to swell.

Compounding the problem, Aimee also contracted acute disseminated encephalomyelitis (ADEMS), a brief but intense attack of inflammation in the brain and spinal cord.

It was the second time her parents Wendy and Mark had endured a round-the-clock vigil in their daughter's life, as Aimee had leukaemia twice when she was two.

Now doctors at the Royal Manchester Children's Hospital, Pendlebury are hoping Aimee's experience will lead to more understanding of transverse myelitis.

Aimee, of Moorcroft, Helmshore, said: "Even though I know what I've had was really serious, I feel really normal now, apart from not being able to walk totally normally.

"I'm really looking forward to Christmas and spending lots of time with my family and friends, I can't wait."

Mrs Read said: "When Aimee was diagnosed with transverse myelitis and ADEMS, I immediately wondered if it was linked to her leukaemia, because the virus is to do with the immune system which will have been weakened by all chemo and radiotherapy and the bone marrow transplant she had.

"Originally the idea was pooh-poohed by the doctors, but since then one neurologist at Pendlebury has done a big thesis on Aimee about the potential link between the two. Hopefully it will help raise awareness, and something good will come of it."

Aimee amazed family and specialists with her progress during three months at Pendlebury.

From being paralysed from the waist down, she learned to walk again and came back home to her parents and 10-year-old brother Jack in Moorcroft, Edenfield, in May.

She has returned to school full time and is studying for GCSEs.

Aimee said: "It's great to be back at school properly. I've caught up with all my work and am really enjoying it."

Mrs Read said: "It's amazing how much Aimee came on in the first months, but she hasn't made the same progress since then.

"When she saw the consultant in October, he said it's doubtful Aimee will ever regain full use of her legs, as there's a limit on recovery time. Another problem is that doctors do not know if it is nerve damage or something muscular stopping her progress."

Mrs Read, who works for a financial company, said: "Christ-mas will be emotional for us all, because this time last year everything was so normal in comparison.

"We had thought of going away to get a break, as we haven't had a holiday all year, but Aimee wanted all the family here and I can understand that."