THE parents of a little Wrexham girl who could die every time she cries have spoken of their dramatic daily battle with her rare condition.
Two-year-old Tianna Lewis McHugh, of Lamberton Drive, Brymbo, suffers from reflex anoxic seizures (RAS) which are brought on when she cries or is shocked by something.
The seizures only started when Tianna was about 18-months-old and cause her to collapse because her heart stops and she stops breathing.
Her mum Ceri Lewis, a receptionist at Carden Park Hotel and dad Andy McHugh said they have to do all they can to make sure their daughter does not cry.
Ceri, 23, explained the “hysterical” moment she first saw Tianna, who turns three in January, have a seizure.
She said: “I picked her up out of her high chair and put her on the floor and she cried for seconds and then she looked like she had died.
“She went a deathly grey, her lips and around her eyes were blue and her eyes rolled back in her head.
“When she has the fits she stops breathing and looks dead because she stiffens up and her back arches.
“I thought she was dead and I was hysterical.”
Andy, 30, a sales executive at the Stoneacre car dealership in Wrexham, rushed home and tried desperately to resuscitate his daughter by putting his mouth over her nose and mouth and breathing.
“After five or six blows she took a massive breath and came around crying her eyes out,” he said.
Tianna was taken to the high dependency unit at Wrexham Maelor Hospital where they tried to determine what had happened.
Tianna was sent home the next day because nobody could determine the cause of the seizures.
She had another serious seizure two weeks later and was left fighting for her life.
Ceri said: “This time she was fitting for about two hours.
“Andy was in the room with her but I couldn’t go in, it was terrifying.”
Doctors told the couple that if Tianna did not come around within 10 to 15 minutes she could die or be left with brain damage.
But luckily the toddler pulled through and recovered after three or four days on the childrens’ ward.
Doctors were then able to diagnose Tianna’s condition.
All together she has had about 10 or 11 fits and although she can have medication Tianna’s parents hope she will grow out of it.
The tot, who goes to Saplings Day Nursery, last had a fit in July.
“When she has fits it’s horrendous,” said Andy, “When she starts to cry we usually have to flick water in her face to bring her out of the shock.
“She can do whatever she wants but for 18 months we have been cautious with her so that she doesn’t get hurt or shocked and cry.
“She is our little angel and this makes you appreciate her more.
“She is hyperactive, talkative, bubbly and very active. She’s very well developed for her age.”
Andy is also hoping to raise awareness of the condition and will be taking part in a charity bike ride around Wales next year.
He is part of a group of 12 friends called The Fundracers who have each chosen a charity close to their heart.
A band night to raise money for The Fundracers will be held at Brymbo Sports and Social Club on November 27 and tickets are £10.
For tickets call 07855 646778.
l For more information on reflex anoxic seizures go to the Syncope Trust And Reflex Anoxic Seizures website www.stars.org.uk.