Gwynedd: Mum’s heartbreak over daughter’s ‘family-destroying’ disease

The illness, Laura said, “kills a child and destroys a family”.

Anna was born healthy in January 2014. There was nothing to suggest anything was wrong until Covid struck in 2020.

Her eyesight worsened and she began having seizures. Coping with schoolwork became difficult.

In 2022 tests at Liverpool’s Alder Hey Hospital revealed what was wrong.

Laura said: “I had come across Batten Disease on the internet but didn’t really think that Anna had such a terrible condition.”

As the illness progresses patients suffer mental impairment, worsening seizures and loss of sight, speech and motor skills.

Laura said: “It’s a very cruel disease. Seeing things change and knowing that things are getting worse.

“It’s now quite difficult understanding what she says. She has more trouble walking and her feet turn inwards.”