Amira could have done so much, but she wasn't given the opportunity

MUM SAYS DAUGHTER WHO DIED AT 17 WAS LET DOWN BY CHILDREN'S SERVICES

- By SAM VOLPE

A BENTON mum said her daughter had been "stripped of her dignity" and let down by children's services.

Beverley Williams explained how it had taken five years for work on adaptations to support her daughter Amira at home to begin - and it did so just a month before she died at just 17.

Amira had a range of complex needs including autism, ADHD and learning disabilities.

Falling ill with Guillain-Barre syndrome in 2019 then affected her physical health and she required the use of a wheelchair.

Amira and her family had long fought for vital adaptations to be made to her home - and this would have enabled her to live a less restrictive life and to potentially have stayed healthier. Council bosses said they "regretted" that adaptations were not made earlier, and blamed "national guidance" - adding that they "know the positive impact it [adaptations] would have had on Amira's quality of life".

At an inquest at Newcastle Coroner's Court on Friday May 30, coroner Paul Dunn recorded a conclusion that "Amira's death was due to natural causes contributed to by premature discharge from hospital, following a medical episode of organ support in intensive care".