ONCE active teenager Shanice Stanier faces at least two years on crutches after being diagnosed with a bone-crumbling disease.

The 13-year-old, from Abbey Hulton, used to enjoy running, skipping and riding her bike before Perthes' disease, a condition where the top of the thigh bone softens and breaks down, came into her life.

It affects one in 10,000 children between the ages of two and 15 but most commonly occurs between the ages of four and eight.

Symptoms can include a limp, pain and stiffness and Shanice feels it has alienated her from her friends.

Article continues below

She said: "It is devastating to have Perthes' disease.

"I still get pain every day and can't do anything I have been doing for the past few years.

"I have only just starting going out to see my friends because I used to be worried about people teasing me for being on crutches. I'm sick of them already."

The Mitchell Business and Enterprise College pupil began complaining of pain in her hip and leg in August.

But it took some time for people to take her seriously before she was diagnosed in November.

Now she must have hydrotherapy once a week and use crutches to take pressure off her joints.

Shanice's mum Tracey Stanier, aged 39, a full-time carer, said: "I thought she just wanted a day off school when she said her leg was hurting but it went on for three or four months on and off.

"We went to the hospital and they diagnosed her straight away.

"It is awful for Shanice because there are loads of things she used to do which she can't do anymore.

"She has gone very quiet because she can't go running, she can't skip and she can't walk very far."

And to make matters worse, Shanice's family is involved in a row over a mattress bought to help support her in bed.

Mrs Stanier brought a new £60 mattress for Shanice last month, but when she went to take the mattress cover off to wash it, she found it was the only thing holding the mattress together.

Hanley-based Cozy Nites, where she brought it from, deny it is a fault and claim someone must have deliberately tampered with it.

Store employee Keith Eaton, who has sent a representative to look at the mattress, said: "You can't go around destroying mattresses and expecting them to be replaced.

"They have undone the stitching, it is not a manufacturing fault."

But Mrs Stanier said: "Why would Shanice pick the stitching out if it was something that is supposed to help her?"

Two other mattresses Mrs Stanier bought at the same time have not had any problems.