A LYMM teenager has won a prestigious Child of Achievement Award in recognition of her courage in coping with a crippling skin condition.

Samantha Hall, of Statham Avenue, suffers from Dystrophic Epidermolysis Bullosa. This is a rare skin disorder which causes painful blistering over every inch of her body, including the inside of her mouth, throat and some internal organs.

Samantha was nominated for the Child of Achievement Award by her teachers at Lymm High School.

Head of Year 10, Christine Johnson, said: "Samantha is a unique individual and her warmth and courage are humbling. She is often in a lot of pain, but despite this she has tremendous determination, courage and drive.

"She always has a ready smile and a cheerful word for everyone and notices other people's problems even though she is suffering herself. She is a very special person."

The disorder is caused by a genetic fault and, as yet, there is no cure. It is estimated that around 5,000 people in this country suffer from DEB.

Every minute of every day Samantha has to endure the painful blisters which must be burst and treated with specialist creams. Her legs and feet are always bandaged.

Mum Fran said: "When Samantha was born, part of her skin was missing and she was cocooned in blisters. Her condition means that the top layer of skin does not adhere to the others and the slightest bump or friction causes new blisters.

"The skin tightens up on her hands and feet and she has already had operations to release her fingers and toes. The surgeons cut the tendons, then use skin grafts before putting the limbs in plaster. She will need another operation on her hands in the future, but this is on hold until after her GCSEs."

Diet and nutrition is very important for DEB sufferers as they need to consume as many calories as possible. Their bodies are under pressure because their skin is under attack and many children do not thrive. They take nutritional supplements and eating is so difficult for some sufferers, they need to be fed via a tube.

Fran said: "Samantha needs to consume as many calories as possible every day. She can eat whatever she likes, but sometimes she gets blisters inside her mouth which makes eating difficult, so we change her diet to fit round this."

But despite the agony her condition causes, 14-year-old Samantha doesn't let it stop her. Even though putting on shoes can be a problem, she is a keen tap dancer with the Enid Wrigley School of Dance in Lymm.

"When it's show time, Samantha just gets on with it," said Fran.

"She's very brave, though she does get fed up sometimes when she can't do what her friends are doing.

"She was stunned when she found out about the award. She's thrilled to bits."

Samantha was chosen as a winner from around 9,000 entries and received a certificate and trophy in a star studded ceremony at a top London hotel.

DEBRA, the charity researching a cure for DEB, is desperate for funding. Anyone who can help them raise money should call 01344 771961 for details.

Converted for the new archive on 13 March 2001. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.