Case study - Ella (From Salisbury Journal)

Case study - Ella

4:21pm Thursday 27th March 2008 in Stars Appeal news

Ella (right) was born with a broken leg and was quickly diagnosed as having osteogenesis imperfecta, commonly known as brittle bone disease.

Although Ella is only three-years-old, she has already a further eight broken bones including her shoulder and both legs.

Ella is well known to all the staff on the children's unit. She has to visit the unit regularly to receive a bone-strengthening drug. Working closely with Great Ormond Street Hospital, Ella receives this drug in Salisbury children's unit as an infusion over three days, every six weeks.

Ella has also had to undergo a number of operations including having a metal rod inserted to strengthen and straighten her right leg.

Thanks to the regular treatment she receives, Ella is getting much better. She will always need to be very careful but can now walk unaided.

Dr Carl Taylor, consultant paediatrician says "With the help of Caring4Kids, our new children's centre will be more than just a treatment centre. It will be child and family focused and make Ella's regular visits as pleasant as they can possibly be".