Girl with facial paralysis 'smiles during swim'

Sophia "absolutely loved" relaxing in the hydrotherapy pool, her mum said

The mother of a five-year-old girl who requires a ventilator to breathe and has facial paralysis said her daughter "definitely had a smile on her face" when she went for a swim at a children's hospice.

Sophia, from Warton in Lancashire, has Moebius syndrome - a rare condition which, among other symptoms, takes away the chance for those with it to smile.

However, Emma said her daughter "absolutely loved" relaxing in the hydrotherapy pool at Derian House Children's Hospice in Chorley.

She told BBC Radio Lancashire it was a special moment to be in the pool with her. "With Moebius you are not meant to be able to smile but Sophia cracked the half smile... it's beautiful when you see it."

Derian House cares for more than 400 seriously ill babies, children, young people and their families.

Sophia who requires 24-hour ventilation through a tracheostomy was held safely in the water by her mother to keep her airway clear of water, with the help of Sophia's carer and two Derian House staff members.

The youngster was the first child who relies on a ventilator to breathe to take a dip at Derian House's hydrotherapy pool since the Covid-19 pandemic.

Sophia's older sister Isabelle was there, too.

Emma said: "Sophia was so relaxed in the water in my arms.

"They had floats for her to lie on and toys for her to play with."

She said: "We were so happy – it's not something you get offered with a child like Sophia."

Emma said it was a really special moment to be in the hydrotherapy pool with her daughter

Derian House said hydrotherapy pools could have many benefits for a child with a life-limiting condition including reducing pain, improving movement in joints, stimulating circulation, as well as being good for well-being.

But for Sophia, and for other children who require a ventilator to breathe, to safely relax in the pool there needs to be a tailored risk assessment before each swim session, and a team of care professionals to ensure safety at all times.

Not all children who need 24-hour ventilation through a tracheostomy are able to experience the pool, depending on their needs.

"Sophia has minimal movement, and because of her condition she isn't supposed to be able to smile - but in the pool she was so happy, and there was a definite smile on her face," Emma said.

"As a mum, it was beautiful to be able to be in the pool with her."

The family have been visiting Derian House for more than two years after Sophia had a hypoxic brain injury in 2021, and love to use the cinema and the sensory room.

Emma praised the "amazing" support it provided for the whole family.

Sophia's brother, Logan, and sister are supported, too, in the siblings group, and enjoy days out with other siblings in a similar situation.

'Special memories'

Catherine Randall, chief nurse at Derian House, said: "We want our families to make the best memories in the time they have together."

She said part of this means doing everything in its power to provide opportunities for making special memories they might not get elsewhere.

"We're so glad Sophia, Isabelle and Emma enjoyed their time in the pool together. Sophia's smile said it all.

"For some of our children, they will have never had the opportunity to have a swim and this will be the first time they have been able to go in water."

She added: "We do our best to give all of our children joy, magic and new experiences depending on what works for them."