7:22am Thursday 13th March 2008
By Stephen Mather
HER big beaming smile hides the heartbreaking story of a little girl who has been given just months to live.
Days after posing for this snapshot in Disneyland Paris, the parents of brave little Jasmine Beedles were told that their daughter would soon lose her courageous fight for life.
Now they are desperate to take her once more to the French resort so that Jasmine can celebrate her sixth and final birthday there, but they need £5,000 to make her dream come true.
Jasmine, whom mum Sam describes as happy and independent, suffers from an ultra rare condition, DiGeorge syndrome, which affects her heart, lungs and bowel.
The brave little battler was not expected to see her first Christmas but has clung on to life since then.
Now this news has hit the family hard.
Sam (25), from Sutton Manor, explained: "Ben and I knew she wouldn't have a long life, but it is awful to hear it said to you.
"Two days after coming back from France, doctors called us into a meeting and said she may have just months to live because her heart and lungs have got significantly worse.
"We have to go back to the hospital next week to do an end of life plan, which we are both dreading. We have noticed her getting worse, because she can't do the things she used to do."
After watching Jasmine enjoy their Disney stay, dedicated parents Ben (27) and Sam, whose daily routine involves giving her medicine every three hours as well as making sure her chest and lungs are clear, are desperate to take her back for her birthday in June.
Sam explained: "We were planning on taking Jasmine back next year, but since we have been told the news we want to get her there as soon as possible as we know time is short.
"Jasmine kept asking to stay in the Pink Hotel when we were there, but when we priced this up it is going to cost £5,000 because we need to take two carers.
"We are looking to raise this money for her, as it will be her last holiday and we want to make it as special as possible, because she deserves it."
Plans to help the young family raise the cash are already underway.
Jasmine's uncle Grant Williams, a public service lecturer at St Helens College, who hit the headlines in 2006 when he completed an incredible 13,000 press ups in 24 hours to raise money for disabled toddler Callum Boan, is looking to host a sponsored event at the college and Sam's sister Melanie is already drumming up support among her colleagues at the Somerfield distribution centre at Lea Green.
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