Teen who cannot eat or drink is making most of life

Isla had her bowel removed as a child and is fed via a tube to a major artery near her heart

A teenager who has never been able to eat or drink due to a rare condition said she was determined to make the most of life, despite her health issues.

Isla, from Stanford-le-Hope in Essex, had her bowel removed as a child and is fed via a tube to a major artery near her heart.

The 14-year-old was also recently diagnosed with osteoporosis, a condition that weakens bones, and now uses a wheelchair.

"I just try and have a positive attitude," she said.

"Sometimes it gets me down when I'm in pain, but most of the time I try not to let it bother me."

Isla is very close to her family, including her parents and older brother

Isla's condition is so rare that it does not have a name. She has infusions into her bloodstream for 18 hours a day.

The teenager also has issues with her immune system, liver and kidneys and has contracted sepsis several times.

Isla was attending high school until last year when she got sepsis and has not yet been able to return.

"It hasn't been easy. I was doing so well at school, but the sepsis was a major setback, and I haven't been well enough to go back," she said.

Isla has been in and out of hospital since she was born

Isla loves going to music concerts and is looking forward to learning to drive when she turns 16.

A recent Tate McRae concert was one of the best nights of her life, she said, even though she ended up crying herself to sleep with back pain.

She also managed to go on a cruise with her family this year, after a battle to get insurance, but was in excruciating pain with her back throughout it.

Isla and her mother Ashlee recently went to a Tate McRae concert

Her mother, Ashlee, gave up her job as a support worker for adults with learning difficulties when Isla was a baby, so she could care for her.

Ashlee's friend recently created a GoFundMe page, which has seen donations of more than £3,000 towards a specialist wheelchair, instead of her current basic NHS one.

Isla said she was "so grateful" and "overwhelmed" by the support.

Ashlee said: "I would love Isla to get a bespoke wheelchair, which could mean she can just feel like a normal teenage girl for a bit and give her some independence.

"Isla doesn't realise how amazing she is. She is exceptionally brave and resilient.

"I look at her and I just beam with pride. I don't know how someone can go through so much and be so caring and kind and happy."

Isla has several health issues but tries to remain positive