Garvagh’s little miracle child

Little Rose Doherty (5) was diagnosed with the rare skull condition unicoronal synostosis when she was just six weeks old.

Rose’s mother, Orla, a district nurse, was told that her little daughter would be deaf and blind within six months and dead within the year if she didn’t have a major operation.

The highly skilled doctors at Oxford’s John Radcliffe Hospital were able to rebuild little Roses’ face, but there was still the risk of her being left paralysed or suffering from epilepsy.

Fortunately the surgery has been a success and Rose, a primary one pupil at St Columba’s Primary School, has suffered no lasting side effects.

There are, however annual visits to hospitals in England, but the brave Garvagh girl views these trips as holidays.

Speaking to the Times on Monday, Rose’s mum Orla said that the family are ‘delighted’ with the nomination.

“We have no idea where the nomination came from, we are just over the moon for Rose.

“It will be a fabulous experience for us all,” said the proud mother.