Family's plea after brave Millie's death

By Patrick Lowman

HEARTBROKEN parents have called for more research into a rare genetic disorder following the death of their three-month-old baby.

The funeral of Millie Curry was held last week and her devastated parents Jason Gross, 24, and Leanne Curry, 19, from Thurston, said their lives were now “empty” following her death.

Millie was born at the West Suffolk Hospital, Bury St Edmunds, in May and seemed perfectly normal at first.

Although Millie had begun smiling, she did not develop physically. She was taken to the doctors and, after blood tests, was diagnosed with the rare condition, spinal muscular atrophy.

Her parents had to spend hours manipulating Millie's limbs three times a day, but her muscles became too weak to allow her to breathe and she died from respiratory failure at the West Suffolk Hospital.

Mr Gross said Millie had become his life and added: “We do not know what to do when we get home. It seems like Millie was here for ages, we got to know her so well. In her short life, she grew up very fast.”

Millie's parents have asked for donations in her memory to be made to Jennifer's Trust for Spinal Muscular Atrophy.

They hope funds will help with further research to allow the early detection of the disorder and possibly find a cure so other families will not have to go through similar ordeals.

The disorder causes muscle wasting and genetic problems. One in 40 people carry the gene, but the chances of two parents carrying it are only one in 1,600 - and even then, the chances of a child inheriting the gene are 6,400 to one. Donations can be made care of L Fulcher Funeral Directors, 60 Whitting Street, Bury St Edmunds, IP33 1NX, or by telephone on 01284 754048.

patrick.lowman@eadt.co.uk