Our Lily Is A Star!

Mum Vicki Beddall shares the story of an amazing little girl who has continued todefy expectations

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As my two-year-old daughter, Lily, giggles in front of the camera, I can’t help but smile. with her white-blonde curls and bright eyes, she’s adorable. But these aren’t casual snaps for the family album – these are professional photos. of course I’m biased, but as her mum, I’m not surprised that she was chosen to be the face of matalan’s new campaign. But there’s no denying that my little girl isn’t the typical model…

I’ve always known what I wanted out of life – a good job, a happy relationship, and children of my own. So, by 36, working as a copywriter, and married to my husband, Eddie, I was thrilled to discover I was pregnant.

Apart from some morning sickness and a craving for ice lollies, the weeks passed by without a hitch. Tests and checks came back normal and as my due date neared, I couldn’t wait to meet my baby. WhenI heard her first cries in August 2014, I felt a rush of love – as she was placed into my arms, Eddie and I gazed at her – was this perfect baby really ours?

Several blissful hours passed as family and friends arrived, and we posed for our first ever family photo. A few days later, the consultant came to see us. When he said that they wanted to run some blood tests, to check if Lily had Down’s syndrome, I was so confused. She didn’t have the classic signs of the condition that the consultant listed – the gap between her toes or the extra line on her palm – which is why they needed to test to make sure. But surely there’d been a mistake?

Massive shock

As the consultant handed us leaflets, Eddie and I wept with shock. He said the results would take a few days – all we could do was wait.