A LITTLE girl dubbed Miss Dolittle because she only speaks to animals is closer to saying her first words thanks to therapy in the US.
It's a year since Rose Willcocks appeared on the
Observer's front page - and her parents say she is now a different child.
With the help of family and supporters, the Willcocks raised £21,000 in seven months to send Rose, the only known person in the world with a rare genetic condition that has left her with severe learning difficulties, swimming with dolphins.
Now back from her trip, the five-year-old has come on leaps and bounds according to parents Esme and Dave -- and they are hopeful their little girl is nearer to talking for the first time.
"The trip has really given us hope," Esme said. "Before it was only the animals that brought out the best in her but her babbling is coming naturally now and she is much more animated.
"To see how animated she was with the dolphins was fantastic and her confidence has soared. She is more enthused about things and her signing and eye contact is better than it's ever been."
Rose first appeared in the
Observer last July after we spent a day with her at Mole Hall Wildlife Park in Widdington. Last month the family, of The Ridings, finally jetted off to the States, spending six days at the Water Planet Centre in Panama City, where Rose undertook an intensive course of therapy.
Sadly she never got the chance to swim with dolphins due to a hurricane warning but the family, including younger daughter Ruby, two, went out on a boat every afternoon to watch them.
The Willcocks are now looking into other ways to help their daughter, from using communication aids to changing her diet. They are also researching horse therapy in Texas, which has achieved amazing results with other children.
Esme said: "We know we have to help her in every possible way. We can't stop now she has come this far."