Lillia's Mito Mission

Lillia's

Mito Mission

Based in Sheffield, South Yorkshire

Hello. I’m Lillia, I’m 6 and live in Sheffield with my mummy, daddy and my big brother Harrison. I love the colour pink ... & Peppa Pig!

Lillia and her family live with the impact of mitochondrial disease every day. Please take a little time to read their story.

Read

Lillia's

Story.

As told by her mum,
Emma...

My partner of 11 years, Matt and I live in the Parson Cross area of Sheffield. We were thrilled to welcome Lillia in 2016 after a normal pregnancy and birth, a sister for Harrison, then aged 3.

When Lillia was 5 months old, I noticed some strange rapid eye movements.

After a series of tests we were shocked

to learn that Lillia had severe sight impairment.

When she didn’t reach subsequent milestones, further tests found some kidney anomalies but these didn’t really explain what was wrong and medically, she was a bit of a mystery. There was also some ‘brightening’ on Lillia’s MRI scans but we were told this could be connected to the eye problems.

After having tonsillitis at 3, Lillia sadly lost some of her development, including some Makaton she’d learned and her ability to weight-bear. Genetic testing in October 2020 found a fault with the OPA1 gene. A muscle biopsy in the following February brought the confirmation last October that Lillia has a form of Leigh’s Syndrome, a variant of mitochondrial disease. We were referred to specialists in Newcastle.

We’re still reeling, really, from how things have progressed.

It’s hard learning that something like mito

is underlying, with no treatments or cure ... yet.

What keeps us focused positively, despite the inevitable ‘wobbles’, is Lillia herself. She is the most delightful little girl and always smiling and happy. She loves school and adores socialising with other children and has the most amazing relationship with her big brother. The colour pink and Peppa Pig are also firm favourites!

Thanks for reading my story.

Lillia and family

March 2022

Lillia’s Mito Mission will also be

a great positive focus for us.

Keeping busy doing something so constructive, which will help raise awareness and funds in our daughter’s name will be almost like therapy in itself.

We hope that our awesome family, friends

and community will support us too.

Together we can help to raise hopes of a cure – not only for our gorgeous little girl, but for everyone who is affected by mitochondria disease.

Get involved and

support Lillia’s cause.

Whether you support Lillia’s mission, any other single mission or My Mito Mission as a whole – it’s all the same great cause.

Spreading the word, following, sharing, as well as donating and raising funds are all really helpful and valued. From running a race to hosting a bake sale, giving out Lillia’s Mito Mission leaflets to finding a home for a collecting can – there are so many ways in which you can get involved.