Little Cora's special Christmas tree wish

Little Cora McQuade-Denvir, aged 8, is confined to a wheelchair and suffers from a host of ailments including epilepsy, dystonia, cerebral palsy, hydrocephaly, blindness, and scoliosis.

Last November, doctors told Cora’s parents that she was experiencing brain failure and could pass away at any time.

However, Cora, who her family call their “warrior princess”, defied doctor’s expectations and her parents are hopeful that she will live to see this Christmas.

The family were recently contacted by Fiona Quigley, whose baby Jay lost his fight against leukaemia and who had a suggestion to make Cora’s Christmas particularly memorable.

“Fiona suggested that we get people to send a decoration for Cora’s own personal Christmas tree,” Cora’s mum Amy explained.

“She said that she had done the same thing for Jay and people had been very supportive, and if they would like to send a wee message as well that would be lovely.

“I have never met Fiona but she is a fellow special needs mum and she understands what we are going through.

“She does a lot of fundraising for other kids with cancer, she is an amazing woman who never gives up.”

Amy says that while Cora’s condition is gradually deteriorating, doctors have been left amazed that she has battled for so long.

“Cora is deteriorating week by week, and every minute is precious to us,” Amy continued.

“She is still fighting although her awake periods are getting less and less and she is needing more and more oxygen.

“She is really hard to rouse and there has been a drop in her heart rate and temperature.

“But then most evenings she bounces back and is giggling, so we hope to see Christmas.

“She has done so well, the doctors told us they never expected her to still be alive today and she was put on the palliative care list last November.

“They told us to enjoy Christmas 2015 as we probably wouldn’t get another one.”

The family are now planning to give Cora a Disney Princess-themed Christmas.

“It will be magical, we didn’t think we would see it,” Amy concluded.

To send Cora a Christmas decoration, post it to: Cora McQuade-Denvir, Drumalla Park, Carnlough, BT44OJE.