Rebecca Callaghan faced a challenging pregnancy in 2012 when doctors decided to induce labor early due to excess fluid around her baby.
It wasn’t until about an hour after Matilda was born that any issues were suspected. Initially, a large blue mark on her face and extending down her body was mistaken for a bruise. However, just 30 minutes later, doctors informed Rebecca and her husband that it was, in fact, a birthmark.
Two weeks postpartum, Matilda was diagnosed with Sturge-Weber syndrome, a rare neurological condition associated with skin abnormalities that can lead to paralysis, learning difficulties, and seizures.
Matilda’s health quickly deteriorated, necessitating her transfer to Alder Hey Children’s Hospital in Liverpool, England. The parents’ joy transformed into deep anxiety, as they feared they might lose their newborn. “We couldn’t travel with her because she was so sick. Watching her taken away, we were terrified we’d never see her again”, her father shared with the Daily Mail.
Adding to their worries, they discovered Matilda had two heart defects. Despite the grim prognosis, she displayed remarkable resilience, successfully undergoing surgery. She also began laser treatments to address her unusual birthmark, a process that could take up to 16 hours to fully fade.
“She receives treatments every two months. The laser leaves her skin red and covered in blisters, which eventually heal”, her father, Paul, explained in a 2016 interview. He recounted the misconceptions from others, stating: “People assume we’ve somehow harmed her”.
Although these treatments are painful, Matilda is a cheerful child. Sadly, many stare at her or make hurtful remarks, even asking if her parents had caused her birthmark by allowing her to burn herself. “They only see the surface and make judgments. I wish they could see beyond the mole to the beautiful person she is”, Paul lamented.
In addition to her birthmark, Matilda faces vision challenges and struggles to walk. Yet, with the help of specialized equipment, she has taken steps on her own.
Despite her struggles, Matilda remains upbeat and resilient. “She’s incredibly stubborn; she’ll do things her way or not at all!” her father noted, emphasizing that she always greets others with a smile. The family regularly confronts stares, insults, and teasing, but they remain proud of Matilda. “Despite everything, she’s thriving”, her father said.
Now nine years old, Matilda’s family recently shared an updated photo of her in her wheelchair in June 2019. They have set up a fundraising page to raise £5,000 for a new wheelchair, enabling Matilda to enjoy her favorite activity: spending time outdoors, away from crowds. “We want to help her continue doing what she loves”, the page states.
Queen Camilla’s ex-husband secretly finds love with TV host at 84 – and you might recognize her
According to sources, Andrew Parker-Bowles, the ex-husband of Queen Camilla, is well on his way to rediscovering love with a face that most people in the UK are familiar with.
It has been reported that the 84-year-old former Royal Horse Guards officer is seeing 79-year-old TV broadcaster and actress Anne Robinson, 14 years after the death of his second wife, Rosemary Dickinson, in 2010.
Naturally, Parker-Bowles’s first marriage—a 22-year union with Camilla, who is currently the wife of Charles, the King of England—is arguably the most well-known.
A year before the former married Rosemary Dickinson, in 1995, Andrew and Camilla got divorced, and in 2005, Camilla famously got married to Prince Charles.
It was commonly known that during his marriage to Camilla, Andrew had several extramarital encounters, some of which he had with people she regarded as friends.
Following the death of his second wife, Rosemary, Andrew’s love life has mainly flown beneath the radar until recently. 2023 saw a lot of reports implying that he was dating TV host Anne Robinson; Robinson now seems to have verified the rumors.
The journalist responded to the topic of whether or not she was romantically engaged with Camilla’s ex-husband with her customary snappiness in an open interview.
Indeed. Complete halt. “Take care of yourself,” disclosed the former host of Weakest Link.
Retired Army Brigadier Andrew and Anne reportedly reside in England’s Cotswolds. The two are claimed to have first connected over a lunch with mutual acquaintances last year, but they have mainly managed to keep their developing connection quiet since then.
Regarding Anne, the 78-year-old has been without a partner for approximately 17 years after divorcing her previous spouse, John Penrose, in 2007.
“I’d say that like everything else I’ve done, it’s always worth the risk,” she remarked of her romance with Andrew. “I really believe that taking chances might surprise you. both in a personal and professional capacity.
In fact, the majority of internet comments appear to be supportive, with people expressing gratitude that Andrew and Anne discovered one other later in life.
“We need more love stories like this, 8479,” one Facebook commenter said.
Another individual commented, “She looks better than his ex-wife and hopefully has a better personality.”
“It’s obvious he has a type,” a third individual joked.
Camilla and Charles, meanwhile, recently flew out to Aberdeen, Scotland to mark their 19th wedding anniversary. The couple was pictured in photos taken at Aberdeen Airport last month after taking a plane from London.
After the shocking news of her husband’s cancer diagnosis, Queen Camilla has been a rock for him. Her popularity among the British public has also increased since the difficult beginning of her royal career following the loss of the cherished Princess Diana.
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