Stars Foundation gift for Anna

The 21 year old attended a charity event at Matfield village hall with no idea she would be presented with a high-tech communication aid.

Her parents Sue and John knew that the Stars Foundation for Cerebral Palsy had purchased a Liberator for her but managed to keep it a surprise.

Sue, of Wealden Way, said: "We had to keep absolutely schtum '“ they didn't want anyone to know, so we couldn't tell any friends or family which was difficult. But we were so incredibly excited we wanted to sing it from the rooftops."

Anna had already used a Liberator for two weeks on a trial basis and found it transformed her life by giving her immediate fast communication '“ the aid works via an infra-red beam which is reflected on the forehead and then caught by a camera to be used as a cursor.

When that Liberator was taken away she was back to the old slower and painstaking way of spelling out thoughts and feelings using an alphabet. She lost her new-found spontaneity and enjoyment of being part of normal everyday conversation.

Sue and John took steps to find out how they could buy a Liberator for their daughter but at 7,500 per machine they knew it was some way off.

Sue commented: "We went up to Matfield and Diana Beeny, events trustee of the Stars Foundation, and Derek Underwood came in and said to Anna '“ how would you feel about having a Liberator?

"She said '“ it would just be a dream come true.

"Then he said '“ that's lucky because we have gone one for you! Her jaw just dropped on the floor...then she looked at me, and looked at them in total disbelief and just burst into tears. She was absolutely howling, she was so overwhelmed by it."

The presentation was filmed and has now been put on U-tube '“ it can be found under the title Wannie's Liberator.

Anna has moved from home in Bexhill to a residential house in Worthing called Fethney's, where her new freedom and independence via the Liberator is going to count even more. The plan now is to work in schools and youth groups to talk to youngsters and help them re-think their preconceptions about people with disability - "to look beyond the wheelchair and see the person".

Sue said: "She has suddenly got her wings and now she can fly.

"Anna is the most dependent independent person I know...She fights against her disability to try and make a difference to other people, to try and inspire, and to be an ambassador for communication and independence. It is a case of '“ if I can do it, then anyone can.

"Anna has a profound physical disability yet she will not let that stop her from trying or doing anything...

"She reminds me of the story of someone in a wheelchair being asked '“ which would you rather do, walk or talk? And the answer was '“ I'd rather dance and sing.

"That's Anna, she'd rather dance and sing."

The Stars Foundation for Cerebral Palsy each year has five places for runners in the London Marathon with the idea they raise at least 2,000 sponsorship each. Anyone who is interested in taking part in the London Marathon to raise money for the charity is invited to make contact on [email protected].