At six months old Lea Clark was sent home from hospital to die.

Determined - Lea Clarke at home with her mum, Jo. Picture: ROB SAMBROOK 40691-11

At 15 months she was on a life-support machine for several weeks. But Lea, who is now two years and four months old, has surprised everyone and is still fighting back.

Among other things, Lea has gross cerebral atrophy, meaning her brain is shrinking, severe epilepsy and is registered as cerebral blind. There was little she could do.

But in the past few months Lea has started to be vocal and can roll herself over, which helps her breathing difficulties.

Her mother Jo Clarke, of California Road, Mistley, said: "She is doing more now than ever before and seems determined to live."

The family recently learned about a treatment they hope will help their daughter, and are to begin fundraising to meet the costs involved.

The three-year course at The Institute for Advanced Neuromotor Rehabilitation, run by the charity Advance, costs £9,000, on top of which will be travelling expenses and accommodation.

Lea goes for an initial consultation next month at the centre in East Grinstead, Sussex. If accepted, the fundraising will start with her father, Jon, planning a sponsored parachute jump.

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Published Tuesday, January 25, 2005

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