The NPDG (UK) would like to congratulate Laurel on being awarded The Rayleigh Town Council's Junior Disabled High Achiever 11-16 Years Award.  Below is the tribute to Laurel which was read out at her Presentation ....

"Laurel Parker is thirteen years old, and lives in Rayleigh with her Mum Cara, Dad Chris, and eleven year old sister Charlotte. 

After many years seeing a range of doctors investigating a mixed bag of medical symptoms, she was diagnosed in 2005 with Niemann-Pick type C, a rare, genetic neurological condition.  The condition causes her problems with pain, fatigue and motor skills.  Despite these challenges, Laurel manages to participate fully in life at her school, St Hilda’s in Westcliff, including singing at concerts, performing in a musical last year and she has just returned from a five day trip to France. 

Laurel is a member of the young church at Holy Trinity church in Rayleigh, and is a member of the Julie Noble School of dance and drama.  Laurel recently performed four shows of their “Just Dance” production, despite the pain and tiredness this     causes both during show week and in the intense rehearsals beforehand.   Laurel and her family are supported by Little Havens Hospice in Daws Heath.  In 2007, Laurel had a painting exhibited at Bankside gallery in London, and her impressionist painting of the view from her family home in Abruzzo, Italy was later sold at auction, raising the largest amount of money on the night.  Another painting of a firework display was shown as part of Little Havens’ “Celebration of Life” exhibition at Eastgate in Basildon in 2008, and was again auctioned.  Laurel has been taught to paint by her grandmother, Evelyn Suglini who can not be with us this evening. 

Despite her many challenges, Laurel has always been very happy young lady, with a wide and infectious smile.  Her family are all very proud of her achievements and are very glad to be able to celebrate them with you this evening."