WHILE children across the country enjoyed opening their presents yesterday, for three-year-old Arsala, this Christmas is very different.
Instead of being at home with her family, Arsala is in a hospital bed in Newcastle, 150 miles away from her home in Higher Blackley. And she had been waiting for help for nine months already.
This little girl is suffering with dilated cardiomyopathy, a disease of the heart muscle which makes the muscle walls become stretched and thin.
That means she must have a heart transplant to save her life, and has been kept alive by a Ventricular Assist Device (VAD) during the months she has spent on the transplant waiting list until a donor heart becomes available.
Arsala is not alone. More than 230 other children in the UK need this precious and ultimate gift of life if they are to see another Christmas.
Her dad, Baber Shahzada, explains: "Arsala amazingly can speak and understand Urdu, Spanish and English, but she is missing out on being a normal inquisitive three-year-old going to nursery and making friends at playgroup. Due to her VAD, she is vulnerable to infections and viruses as well as clots.
"Every day is a waiting game before we can all start our lives again when she gets that amazing gift from a very brave family. We are doing the best we can to take care of her while we wait but cannot express how difficult it is."
Denne historien er fra December 26, 2023-utgaven av Manchester Evening News.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent ? Logg på
Denne historien er fra December 26, 2023-utgaven av Manchester Evening News.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent? Logg på
Youngster Toby open to Old Trafford January exit
UNITED midfielder Toby Collyer is open to a move to a Championship club this month if a suitable offer emerges.
Even United's 'untouchables' are not safe
SIR Jim Ratcliffe hasn't been afraid of making difficult decisions in his 11 months in charge at Old Trafford, and if a good offer arrives for Kobbie Mainoo or Alejandro Garnacho this month, you can be certain sentimentality won't be priced into the equation.
Young forward recalled from Latics loan move
UNITED have recalled striker Joe Hugill from Wigan Athletic.
Club chiefs ready to play hardball on new contracts
UNITED'S efforts to comply with the Premier League's profitability and sustainability rules could force them to sell one of their homegrown players.
Josh may not be success, but he deserves respect
REGARDLESS of your opinion of Joshua Zirkzee as a footballer and whether United should have signed him, the chances are you felt sorry for him as he faced a chorus of boos from his own supporters when he was substituted in the first half against Newcastle at Old Trafford last week.
Rash could be feeling pressure of 'being local'
FORMER United winger Lee Sharpe believes the pressures of being a local player could be one of the reasons Marcus Rashford wants to quit Old Trafford.
Frankfurt's message to Txiki: 'Show us the money
YOU know you are trying to buy a player from the Bundesliga when there are quotes from the selling club's executives in the papers every day.
RIO HAPPY WITH DESIRE IN ANFIELD CLASH
UNITED legend Rio Ferdinand has praised the effort and desire the Reds showed in Sunday's 2-2 draw with Liverpool, insisting the players now have an understanding of what Ruben Amorim expects.
Numbers all add up for Omar to make switch
THERE was a moment shortly after Jack Grealish signed for City back in 2021 when he walked into the dressing room at the Etihad Stadium to see his new shirt for the first time.
Striker needed who can make big IMPACT
AT least Ruben Amorim has promised United will 'try to do something. Goals win games and the Reds do not have a goalscorer. They have won two games in nine and scored 11.
