VIDEO: Most Courageous Child - Aimee-Lee Harlow
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IT was a magical night for Most Courageous Child winner Aimee-Lee Harlow who won a trip to Disneyland Paris.
The seven-year-old from Sawbridgeworth is one of just five children in the UK with an incredibly rare genetic condition that caused all her hair – including her eyelashes – to fall out.
Hay-Wells syndrome is one of a group of skin disorders known as ectodermal dysplasia, which cause scalp infections and hair loss, among other symptoms.
As well as losing her hair, which started falling out when she was three, Aimee-Lee has no tear ducts, so needs artificial tears administered three times a day. Her finger and toenails are also under-developed she suffers regular ear infections and has difficulty swallowing due to a lack of saliva.
The Reedings Junior School pupil was thrilled with her prize and delighted to receive a huge cuddly Eeyore from Observer editor Paul Winspear.
She said she was very happy to have won her category, which was sponsored by Jackson Square shopping centre in Bishop’s Stortford, and extremely excited to be going off to meet all her favourite Disney characters.
Her mum Mel, 39, said of her daughter’s award: "It’s absolutely brilliant and totally well-deserved. She is my brave little solider and we are all looking forward to her special treat."
