Schoolgirl could 'die from shock'

Her mother has to screen what Jenny watches on TV (pic: MEN)

The family of a 10-year-old girl who can literally be scared to death has set up a charity to help fund research into her rare condition.

Jenny Lloyd, from Prestwich, has a form of Addison's disease and does not produce adrenalin when stressed, so a shock can cause her body to shut down.

Her parents say she is one of only six people in the UK with the rare form.

Jenny has now set up an appeal called Jenny's Pennies to raise money for research into the disease.

She cannot play netball, dance or watch television without medication and careful supervision.

It also means she is unable to watch her favourite Harry Potter films without supervision from her parents Amanda, 44, and Bob, 47.

'Went limp'

The Addison's Disease Self Help Group says in most cases, people with the condition can live a normal life if treated with daily steroid medication.

Jenny was diagnosed with polyglandular Addison's disease after becoming critically ill in 2004.

Her mother said: "Something as simple as walking the dog can be a worry.

"The other day, the dog got off its lead and she became hysterical and went limp so I had to call her dad for emergency medication.

"We have to expect the unexpected all the time and deal with everything very carefully so as not to scare her."

The family has now set up the Jenny's Pennies appeal to raise money for research into the condition at the endocrinology unit at Royal Manchester Children's Hospital in Pendlebury.