LITTLE Ella-Rose Ellis has set her sights on starting mainstream school later this year – with the help of her new ‘mermaid’ glasses.

The three-year-old – who was diagnosed with a rare genetic condition at birth – has amazed doctors who initially feared she could be blind for life.

Mum Clare Dunne and dad Dale Ellis were devastated when doctors broke the news Ella-Rose had CHARGE syndrome, which can cause extensive physical difficulties, and might also be deaf, never walk, talk or be able to eat without a gastric tube.

But the thriving tot, who had two holes in her heart, one kidney, breathing problems, holes in her eyes and growth problems, has proved their fears wrong and after numerous operations is about to start Swain House Primary School later this year.

Her sight is good enough to be helped even more by Disney Princess glasses, and she wears a box at the back of her ear to help her hear.

She can speak in full sentences, write her own name, count and knows colours – and enjoys tucking in to her favourite spaghetti bolognese and chocolate without needing the feeding tube which has been removed.

Miss Dunne, of Idle, said: “She is our little miracle. We were told she was totally blind and it would be impossible for her to ever see and we were also told she’d never hear anything at all but she can do both.

“She had every symptom CHARGE could throw at her but she is doing brilliantly which shows families should always hold on to hope.

“She loves her new glasses and is really good at keeping them on!”

Ella-Rose still has breathing problems because of airway conditions and sometimes needs surgery for that at Sheffield Children’s Hospital.

“She also needs oxygen at night because she has sleep apnea. We take all that in our stride,” said Miss Dunne.

Doctors are so happy with Ella-Rose they have just given her the go-ahead to fly abroad so the family, who have two other girls – Millie, ten, and Daisy, eight – have just booked their first sunshine holiday in Spain later this year.

“She’s so excited. She’s already trying on bikinis with her sisters!” said her mum.

After Ella-Rose was born she was rushed from Bradford to Sheffield Children’s Hospital where she underwent several life-saving operations.

She was operated on when she was five days old and remained in intensive care to keep her breathing, until she was finally able to go home when she was three months old.

Her 29-year-old dad has raised more than £1,000 for the hospital’s charity from running and cycling challenges and the family hopes to raise more money as another thank-you for her continued care this summer.

“There are still things she desperately wants to do that she can’t yet, like dancing classes or going swimming but we’ll never say never,” said Miss Dunne.

“We are so proud of Ella-Rose and her big sisters for how well they have adapted. Life’s not always easy for them but they make the most of it.”

This Mother’s Day, Millie wrote a story for her mum, giving her own take on their family life with Ella-Rose.

She wrote: “Ella has two older sisters and I think they’ve really brought her on even though it went through barneys to pulling each others hair they still loved her and even though Ella’s illness made their lives difficult they were happy and could not wish for a better sister.

“I think Ella’s really happy and lucky to have the family she has and learn from this nothing is impossible or too hard to do everything’s achievable.”

Sanjeev Gupta, consultant paediatric ENT surgeon at Sheffield Children’s Hospital, said: “CHARGE syndrome is a genetic condition which can cause extensive physical difficulties.

“It can be life-threatening and babies often have to spend a lot of time in hospital going through lots of hospital procedures.

“The team at Sheffield Children’s has been delighted to see the progress Ella-Rose has made. She’s been doing so well and we hope she has a wonderful holiday with her family.”