Rosie on her way to writing new chapter as an author

NORTHUMBERLAND teen-ager is on the way to fulfilling her lifetime dream of becoming a published author - despite living with a condition so rare that less than one in 10 million people have it.

- EMILY GRAY

Rosie Yates has a neurological condition called Rasmussen's Encephalitis - a life-changing condition that has left her wheelchair bound 95% of the time.

Consultants at Great Ormond Street Hospital even told mum Roxanne the condition is so rare that many may only treat one patient with it throughout their career.

Yet despite enduring so many challenges at a young age, the courageous and creative 16-year-old from Morpeth hasn't let the condition define her - and is now writing a powerful new children’s book inspired by the North East, inspirational figures and her “hero” dogs.

Tragedy struck when Rosie was only eight years old. Mum Roxanne Yates explained: “Rosie developed a rash on her hand we at first thought was eczema, but instead of her immune system fighting the rash it fought her brain instead.”

“Its been difficult adapting to the change to go from a completely able bodied child. She used to be such an active child and enjoyed going horse riding, dancing and karate clubs but since her illness she missed school and lost touch with friends because of the long stints in hospital.”