LOOKING at Tracey Green (pictured) it is hard to understand how people could be so cruel. She is a bright, bubbly woman with an amazing zest for life despite suffering from a severe brain disorder which will probably claim her life.

Tracey, of Yarrow Road, Leyland, suffers from Huntington Chorea -- a rare degenerative disorder affecting the nerve cells in the brain.

It means the 33-year-old is gradually losing her ability to get around unaided and has difficulty controlling her speech and body movements.

Due to her condition -- which affects about five people out of every million -- the former Balshaws High School pupil has often been the butt of people's misplaced sense of humour.

Often she has been left in tears over the words of others who, she says, think she is drunk or on drugs.

But now she is fighting back and aiming to raise awareness for the hereditary illness which has already claimed the life of her mother and affects two of her four siblings. Tracey said: "I am sick to death of being stigmatised as a drug addict or drunk just because I jerk and have trouble with my movements.

"I don't want my condition to stop me having a normal life. I still go out and like to shop for fashionable clothes and I like to go to the hairdressers to get my hair done.

"But it is awful when people say 'you're on something aren't you?' or ask if I'm on drugs just because of my appearance. It really upsets me and gets me down."

"Before being diagnosed in March last year I was a personal assistant with my own home and car. I used to party like anyone else. Now my life is completely different and I just wish people would understand my condition."

In order that Tracey can live an independent life but still receive care if required she has now been housed in sheltered accommodation by Progress Care.

Warden of the complex Dorothy Daggers said: "This is a first for Progress Care to have someone so young. But it has been the best thing for her and Tracey loves it here. The older ladies mother her. But I wish people would watch what they say -- sometimes words can hurt."