LITTLE Kelsie Copping was a happy, healthy four-year-old schoolgirl before multiple sclerosis took hold of her life.

Shortly after she started primary school, Kelsie, now 11, started to have fits and she lost control of the movement in her arm.

Her worried mum, Nanette, of Westfield Place, York, took her to A&E, where she was sent to the children's assessment unit.

Doctors took an x-ray and examined her, and took a CT scan which showed shadows on her brain.

She was admitted to the children's ward and her parents were told she could have a brain tumour, abscess or infection.

"We were all very worried, but within four days she was running around the ward as through there was nothing wrong with her," said Nanette.

"They gave her steroids to bring the swelling down and antibiotics in case it was an infection, but within a week of her coming home she had a fit.

"It started with toe twitching then it went up the right-hand side of her body, and eventually her head and eyes went over to the right."

She was sent straight back to York Hospital, and went into a room opposite the nurses' station, where high-dependency care is currently given, until she could travel to Leeds for more tests.

Eventually, she was diagnosed with MS.

In April 2003 she went into a coma and needed intensive care in Leeds.

When she began to recover she needed high-dependency care - but because York did not have a high-dependency unit, she had to stay in Leeds.

Mrs Copping said it was extremely difficult for her to have to stay in Leeds with Kelsie while the rest of the family was at home in York.

"It took its toll on the rest of the family and it was especially hard for Kelsie's sister, because she was at school in York and it was hard for her to get to Leeds to visit.

"It was very hard for us as a family, I tried my best but I could only stretch myself so far."

Last year, Kelsie needed intensive care in Leeds again. Unfortunately, when she began to improve, there were no high-dependency beds available in Leeds, so she had to be moved to a neurology ward.

Mrs Copping said a designated high-dependency unit in York would have made the world of difference.

"It could have meant that Kelsie could have come back from Leeds earlier to be cared for in York, and it could have been easier for us as a family.

"Kelsie's sister could have found it easier to visit her and I could have been nearer to the rest of the family as well."

Does your child owe its life to York Hospital's children's ward? Would you like to share your story to help boost our appeal? Phone our newsdesk on 01904 653051 or email us at newsdesk@ycp.co.uk

To make a donation, send a cheque or postal order made out to the Guardian Angels appeal, Charlotte Percival, Newsroom, Evening press, 76-86 Walmgate, York, YO1 9YN. Please include your name and address on the back of the envelope.

Updated: 10:56 Monday, October 17, 2005