New Cross girl trying to become an artist despite muscle disease

Emma Barrancos has juvenile dermatomyositis, a rare autoimmune disease that can affect the muscles, skin and other organs.

The disease was so bad that last year the 11-year-old couldn’t even roll over in bed, let alone sit up or walk due to the inflammation of her muscles.

However this never stopped the aspiring artist from continuing trying to achieve her dream.

She said: “For me art is a way of expressing everything I think and feel. It's like I give my pencil to my brain and start drawing without realising it because I love it so much. I was very excited to win the competition because drawing and painting are my passion.”

Emma is being cared for at Evelina London and her artwork will be featured on the front cover of The Lancet Child and Adolescent Health publication.

Emma’s mum, Mayer, said: “Last year Emma began to lose her strength and mobility so has used art to paint the things she would like to do.

“The illness has been a shock for her and for us. Her life has changed so much – from being a girl who loved to skate, swim, dance and cycle to not being able to walk and using a wheelchair.

“Thanks to the doctors, nurses and therapists at Evelina London and Emma’s willpower, little by little she is getting better and is starting to do the things she loves again.

“She can now touch her feet which months ago was an impossible mission because she had such stiff muscles.”

Dr Nick Wilkinson, consultant paediatric rheumatologist at Evelina London, said: “When we first met Emma she couldn’t roll over in bed, let alone sit up or walk due to the inflammation of her muscles. Yet this wouldn’t stop Emma.

“With the biggest smile and extraordinary determination and courage over the past eight months she has overcome her disabilities. The condition isn’t fully controlled but she is back to school and now thanks to the drawing competition everyone can enjoy the pictures Emma brings to light up our clinic rooms.”