A PLUCKY toddler who has had development problems since being born two months prematurely can now stand proudly on her own two feet - after being presented with a special frame by a local charity.

Little Melanie Harrison has had problems with feeding, walking and talking since her early arrival in the world 20 months ago in a complicated birth which nearly saw both daughter and mum, Adele die.

Despite regular visits to Alder Hey Children's Hospital, doctors have been unable to make an accurate diagnosis of Melanie's condition.

Adele, from Lowther Crescent, Grange Park, told the Star: "I suffered from pre-eclampsia during my pregnancy which affected my blood pressure, causing my kidneys to fail and I was rushed into Whiston Hospital two months early to give birth. I was in intensive care for 24 hours and after Melanie was born, the doctors told me that there had been a possibility that we both could have died." Melanie was finally allowed home after spending the first six weeks of her life in the Special Care Baby Unit but doctors spotted that she was not developing as quickly as other babies and carried out a number of examinations, including a brain scan to try and pinpoint the problem.

Adele said: "We have been told Melanie may have cerebral palsy because she does have some of the symptoms but not all of them. The doctors were hoping the brain scan would finally pinpoint the problem but apparently they are still not sure.

"In the meantime, Melanie needs all the help she can get and although we got a lot of assistance from social services, their funds couldn't run to a walking frame which she really needed."

That's where big-hearted members of the Friends of Helen Marie charity stepped in, presenting the Harrisons with the £510 needed to buy a frame.

Adele continued: "We were really grateful and Melanie was delighted with the frame. She had found it very frustrating before because she wanted to walk but her body wouldn't let her. Now there's no stopping her."

Marjorie Hurst, of the Friends of Helen Marie, commented: "Melanie is a smashing baby and when her mum and dad told us what they needed we immediately agreed to help them out. It is nice to see her getting around so well now and we all hope everything goes well for her.

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