Rebecca Callaghan faced a challenging pregnancy in 2012 when doctors decided to induce labor early due to excess fluid around her baby.
It wasn’t until about an hour after Matilda was born that any issues were suspected. Initially, a large blue mark on her face and extending down her body was mistaken for a bruise. However, just 30 minutes later, doctors informed Rebecca and her husband that it was, in fact, a birthmark.
Two weeks postpartum, Matilda was diagnosed with Sturge-Weber syndrome, a rare neurological condition associated with skin abnormalities that can lead to paralysis, learning difficulties, and seizures.
Matilda’s health quickly deteriorated, necessitating her transfer to Alder Hey Children’s Hospital in Liverpool, England. The parents’ joy transformed into deep anxiety, as they feared they might lose their newborn. “We couldn’t travel with her because she was so sick. Watching her taken away, we were terrified we’d never see her again”, her father shared with the Daily Mail.
Adding to their worries, they discovered Matilda had two heart defects. Despite the grim prognosis, she displayed remarkable resilience, successfully undergoing surgery. She also began laser treatments to address her unusual birthmark, a process that could take up to 16 hours to fully fade.
“She receives treatments every two months. The laser leaves her skin red and covered in blisters, which eventually heal”, her father, Paul, explained in a 2016 interview. He recounted the misconceptions from others, stating: “People assume we’ve somehow harmed her”.
Although these treatments are painful, Matilda is a cheerful child. Sadly, many stare at her or make hurtful remarks, even asking if her parents had caused her birthmark by allowing her to burn herself. “They only see the surface and make judgments. I wish they could see beyond the mole to the beautiful person she is”, Paul lamented.
In addition to her birthmark, Matilda faces vision challenges and struggles to walk. Yet, with the help of specialized equipment, she has taken steps on her own.
Despite her struggles, Matilda remains upbeat and resilient. “She’s incredibly stubborn; she’ll do things her way or not at all!” her father noted, emphasizing that she always greets others with a smile. The family regularly confronts stares, insults, and teasing, but they remain proud of Matilda. “Despite everything, she’s thriving”, her father said.
Now nine years old, Matilda’s family recently shared an updated photo of her in her wheelchair in June 2019. They have set up a fundraising page to raise £5,000 for a new wheelchair, enabling Matilda to enjoy her favorite activity: spending time outdoors, away from crowds. “We want to help her continue doing what she loves”, the page states.
How to remove set-in grease stains from laundry
Grease stains are among the most stubborn to get rid of. Sometimes, if the piece of clothing that got greased isn’t the newest one or one of our favorite, we can just get rid of it by throwing it in the trash, but if we are attached to it, we’ll do everything to save it and wear it again and again.
One way to get rid of the grease stains, which is apparently a very practical one and makes wonders, is using Dawn Platinum Erasing Dish Foam.
And somehow it does make sense. If the dish foam cuts through grease, then what stops it from cutting through the grease left on a fabric?
Using it for this specific purpose is a straightforward process. You simply put it directly on the stain, leave it for around 5 minutes or more, and then wash it with your usual detergent. In case the grease is very stubborn, repeat the process more than once.
What’s best about this method is that it treats grease stains on various materials, including cotton, jeans, and polyester. It also works on old stains.
If you are to try this on delicate fabrics, do a patch test just to make sure the piece of clothing won’t get ruined.
This is an excellent trick that can save you time when doing the laundry, especially if that’s an activity you are not fond of.
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