A GIRL who withdrew into a silent world after developing a brain condition has found her voice again.

Isabelle Barnett, who is two, is delighting her family with her happy babbling, a sound relatives feared they might never here again.

The tot was a perfectly health baby until the age of 13 months when she stopped speaking and became trapped by her broken body because of a condition called Retts Syndrome.

The disorder affects approximately one in every 10,000 to 12,000 girls.

It took repeated visits to the GP and months of waiting to see consultant paediatricians at Airedale General Hospital before the family was told a random faulty chromosome had caused the condition.

An awareness campaign about Retts was set up, along with an appeal to help Isabelle, who started Chellow Heights Special School in September.

So far, an online appeal has raised £8,370 towards its £15,000 goal and money from well-wishers will now go to create a super sensory bedroom for Isabelle at the family’s new home in New Brighton, Bingley, and make the garden easier for her to enjoy.

“Isabelle is doing amazing. She started school for three hours every morning and is thriving. She’s got her voice back to do babbling with. She has been so silent for so long that it’s lovely to hear her so happy," said mother Jenny Barnett.

Isabelle sometimes wears splints on her arms to stop repetitive movements and uses bands on her hands to help her touch.

From a superhero sponsored toddle around Bingley, to challenging bike rides and a charity ball as St Ives Golf Club, friends, family and the community including local businesses have all rallied round to help with equipment and therapies.

Supporters have also been selling and buying pin badges to help raise money.

The family, which also has two older girls, recently moved from a two bedroom house in Sandy Lane.

Mrs Barnett said: “The new house is just five minutes from Isabelle’s school so it’s very handy. We’ve got three bedrooms and a big garden which is part of our plans for an extension to make a special sensory bedroom for Isabelle and also make the garden more accessible for her. It’s great we’ve got the space to do it for.”

Isabelle uses a special gaze machine operated by her eyes to communicate and her family is just starting to introduce choices on it, giving her more options.

There have been some slight issues though, Mrs Barnett said.

“We are starting to see a bit of frustration and she has full blown tantrums but I supposed that’s to be expected for a two-year-old! She definitely knows her own mind," she added.

To stop some of her frustration, some money will also be spent on adapting some of her toys to have switches, meaning they will react with a gentle press of a big button.

To make a donation or to read more about Isabelle, go to gofundme.co.uk/isabelleshope.