THE mother of a two-year-old girl receiving help from Megan Baker House has described the charity as a 'sanctuary'.

Sophie Jones was born three weeks early but after a few months her mother, Kelly, noticed that something wasn't right as she wasn't drinking much milk and wanted to sleep all the time.

Kelly said: "I kept seeing different professionals who passed off my concerns as being an over-cautious first time parent. But by the age of seven months, she started to miss milestones, all her little friends seemed to be rolling and babbling etc but we weren't getting that with our little girl. Finally, a visit with a health visitor started us on our path to getting answers."

Genetic blood tests revealed Sophie had a chromosome disorder – a micro deletion called 1P36 Deletion Syndrome.

Googling the condition led to more worry for Ms Jones and she was told her daughter might have gross motor difficulties as well as learning difficulties and many different medical conditions.

They were pointed in the direction of Megan Baker House (MBH) – the charity based near Leominster which provides free conductive education for children with disabilities – and were invited in for an assessment in June 2016.

She was offered a regular weekly session in the parent and toddler group starting in September 2016.

Before starting at MBH, Sophie could only get around by rolling on the floor.

By October, she was holding a four point kneeling position well and in November she began to crawl.

"The opportunities that open up to a toddler who at two years old had previously only had adults choosing toys, games and places to go because of a lack of gross motor skills, are phenomenal," said Ms Jones, adding that the charity's conductors are the most 'wonderful, friendly' people.

"Megan Baker House is our sanctuary and without it, Sophie certainly wouldn't have developed the skills she has in such a short space of time, skills that we all take for granted day to day.

"MBH remaining part of our future provides us with confidence that our daughter will go from strength to strength and our hope is that one day we will be beaming as she takes her first independent steps."

Help us to sponsor a year of life-changing conductive education for 10 children by donating to our Project Chrysalis appeal.

Ways to donate:

Visit justgiving.com/campaigns/charity/meganbakerhouse/projectchrysalis

Send a cheque to Megan Baker House, Moreton Eye, Leominster, HR6 0DP

Call the charity on 01568 616179 to arrange a BACS transfer