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Manchester Evening News
Manchester Evening News
National
Gemma Sherlock & Sam Yarwood

It's every parent's worse nightmare - mum shares heartbreaking pictures of her daughter's battle with agonising chronic illness

Seeing their child in pain is every parent's worst nightmare - especially when there's nothing they can do to take that pain away.

Poppy-mae Jones was just a baby when she started experiencing agonising stomach pains, caused by a chronic bowel condition.

Over the years, the six-year-old has been in and out of hospital for tests, and medications and procedures.

It has been an emotional and difficult journey for the family - one that her mum Sharon wants others to see.

Poppy-mae at a fundraising event (Sharon Jones)

She has shared heart-wrenching images of her daughter's battle with the condition, hoping that it will help to raise awareness of the disease, and the devastating impact a serious illness can have on a child.

"The pictures make me sad that she has suffered for most of her life," mum Sharon told CheshireLive .

"But I am also proud that at times when she could be sat complaining and moping about she is thinking of others and how to help them.

"Looking back at these has actually made me cry as I came across videos of her in agony.

Poppy-mae suffers with horrendous symptoms as a result of her condition (Sharon Jones)
Poppy-mae cuddling her teddy in hospital (Sharon Jones)

"She has come so far and still has so far to go but myself and her dad are so unbelievable proud of Poppy-mae."

Poppy-Mae's condition means that her bowels don't work as they should.

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It causes her to experience horrendous symptoms, such as stomach distension, sickness, appetite issues, joint pains, headaches, tiredness and mood swings.

She also has fructose malabsorbtion -a condition which stops the body absorbing fructose in foods - which results in painful cramps.

Poppy-mae watching TV during one of her stays in hospital (Sharon Jones)
The brave youngster has suffered with agonising stomach pains since she was a baby (Sharon Jones)

Sharon added: "Poppy-mae has suffered with her bowels since she was a baby.

"After years and years of tests, medication and lots and lots of tears, we were told her bowels don't work very well, resulting in mega rectum and colon."

Poppy-Mae, who lives in Ellesmere Port, Cheshire, has since been fitted with a tube attached to her bowels to deliver medication to help try to reduce the size of her bowels and ease some of her pain.

Poppy-mae has raised thousands of pounds for Alder Hey Children's Hospital Charity (Sharon Jones)

Despite living with a chronic illness, the school girl has still managed to help raise thousands of pounds for charity in just a year by taking part in events such as sponsored walks and climbs.

She is currently raising funds for Alder Hey Children's Hospital Charity where she is undergoing treatment.

To donate to her appeal, visit https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/poppy-mae13

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