Mum's plea to MP over little Tanya
THE DESPERATE mother of Peter Pan girl Tanya Donaldson today called on her Sheffield MP to highlight her daughter's plight in Parliament.
Little Tanya, whose condition was highlighted in last night's Star, suffers from a rare genetic disorder which means she will never develop beyond childhood - either mentally or physically.
Tanya, who has the body and mental age of a four-year-old, is believed to be the only child in the world with Donaldson's syndrome - a condition named after her.
But because she has just celebrated her 21st birthday Tanya is treated as an adult by the authorities and means she must now be treated at an adult hospital instead of Sheffield Children's.
Now mum Carol has launched a campaign for her daughter to be treated as a child.
Carol, of Chancet Wood, Woodseats, today said she planned to write to Sheffield Heeley MP Meg Munn in an effort to raise their unique case in Parliament.
She said:"I will do anything and everything to get justice for Tanya and I am going to ask Meg Munn if she will step in and help us.
"I am not going to give up. My daughter has the body and mind of a four-year-old and needs to be treated as a child.
"I will take this as far as I have to. I will write to Tony Blair if I have to. Someone out there must be able to help us.
"I think it's disgusting that she has to be seen by adult doctors.
"She has a four-year-old's body and she needs to be seen by a paediatrician.
"We shouldn't have to have this battle now. Not in this day and age."
Mrs Munn said today: "If Tanya's family wish to contact me, as their MP I would be pleased to discuss with them how I might assist them to resolve their concerns about the services they are receiving for Tanya."
Mrs Donaldson said her and husband Dave had been overwhelmed by the response to The Star's story.
She said the couple had received dozens of telephone calls from well-wishers and supporters who had read Tanya's story.
Carol said: "We have received dozens of messages - some of them from people I haven't heard from in years.
"They are all supporting our fight to get justice for Tanya.
She added: "Everyone is on our side. We just need the authorities to listen now