After 29 operations, the ‘sassy’ five-year-old hoping for a normal Christmas

Yet the past year has brought positives as well. Leanne and Paul discussed holding Amber back a year from starting school as she recovered from the surgery, but she improved quickly after returning home in January this year.

Leanne tried to keep her daughter’s spirits up, while Amber took inspiration from a Barbie doll given to her by a family friend – the toy was in a wheelchair while Leaane’s friend had removed the hair, letting Amber “see herself” in the toy.

Such positive backing meant that in August Amber was able to start attending Long Calderwood Primary school.

She continues to attend meet-ups organised by Spina Bifida Scotland, where Leanne says she is “beaming with happiness.”

The charity’s support is part of the reason why Leanne has taken on fund-raising for the charity, who are launching a Christmas appeal, external this week.

Leanne has her own Christmas plans too, and hopes this year is memorable for the right reasons.

“We’ve booked a trip to Aviemore on Christmas Eve, because last year we were all split up from each other, she says.

“I just want to make this year really special, because I feel you never know what’s in the future.”