THE PARENTS of a 13-month-old girl suffering from a rare syndrome have praised their daughter for her courage and determination.

Sienna Williams, from Draycott-in-the-Moors, has Charge syndrome which involves a number of growth and development problems, leaving her deaf, partially sighted and with holes in her heart.

Her parents, Hayley Oliver and Adam Williams, appealed to Sentinel readers in February for help to raise cash to buy her toys which could aid her development. The youngster has now also started to learn sign language, which has led Miss Oliver to nominate her as a Child of Courage in The Sentinel's Our Heroes awards.

Miss Oliver, aged 32, who is Sienna's full-time carer, said: "We have only been doing sign language for about a month but Sienna is already starting to do it back to me and looks for other people to do it with her.

"People can't believe how receptive she is and I'm very impressed with how she is doing."

One in 10,000 babies are born with Charge syndrome, but problems differ from child to child. Sienna spent the first three months of her life in hospital and her treatment has included a gastrostomy to allow her to be tube-fed and surgery to correct a cleft lip.

Dozens of people supported her appeal and Sienna's parents have now received so many toys that they are looking at extending their home, in Manor Close.

Miss Oliver, who also has another daughter, two-year-old Isobel, said: "I never thought people would be so kind. We have got all sorts of toys like a fibre optic light and a bubble tunnel.

"Sienna is the happiest and most chilled out baby you can imagine. For all the problems she has got, no-one can believe that she is not frustrated at all. She is a lovely little girl."

Mr Williams, a 27-year-old builder, said: "Sienna is a real fighter, she must be to have got through the first six months.

"She is doing well now, but she has still got more treatment to come in the summer."