Scarlett Berrett is a special little girl. In fact she’s one in 32,000.

The Birchencliffe youngster has a rare genetic disorder called Kabuki Syndrome, a condition which results in learning difficulties and other health problems.

Often mistaken for Down's Syndrome, the condition causes distinctive facial features including arched eyebrows, elongated eye openings and long eyelashes.

Kabuki Syndrome, which affects one in every 32,000 babies born, was discovered by two Japanese doctors and named because of the facial resemblance to stage make-up worn by actors in the traditional Japanese theatre art, Kabuki.

Scarlett, eight, was born prematurely at Huddersfield Royal Infirmary and was diagnosed aged six months.

At that time the condition was so rare few doctors had heard of it.

Scarlett’s mum Jeanette, 51, thought her daughter was the only child in Huddersfield to have the condition – until she turned up one day at a support group and met another mum.

Jeanette and Scarlett attend play sessions at Shabang, a music and arts group for children with special needs, at The Watershed in Slaithwaite.

Jeanette met Emma Ahmed and son Kareem, now four. Kareem also has Kabuki Syndrome.

“It was a big shock,” said Jeanette. “But suddenly you don’t feel like an outsider anymore. It’s nice to have someone who understands.”

Before then Jeanette’s only contact with other parents was via the internet.

Jeanette Berrett and 8-yr-old daughter Scarlett and Emma Ahmed and 4-yr-old son Kareem who have Kabuki Syndrome - The Watershed, Bridge Street, Slaithwaite.

Now Jeanette and Scarlett and Emma and Kareem meet up at Shabang – to enjoy fun and musical performances with Kim Reuter and Russ Elias – and outside. They also speak on the phone all the time.

“It’s really great to have someone else to talk to,” said Jeanette, who is married to Stephen, 49, and has three grown-up children.

While Scarlett is different to other youngsters at Shabang, she is a little star.

“Scarlett has a really curious personality,” said Jeanette. “Everybody who meets her loves her to bits. She is amazing.”

To mark Kabuki Syndrome Awareness Day on October 23, Jeanette and Emma will be throwing a party at a play gym for Scarlett, Kareem and their friends.

Kabuki Syndrome
Kabuki syndrome has been previously known as Kabuki makeup syndrome, KMS or Niikawa–Kuroki Syndrome It is a pediatric congenital disorder of suspected genetic origin with multiple congenital anomalies and intellectual disabilities. It is quite rare, affecting roughly one in 32,000 births. It was identified and described in 1981 by two Japanese groups, led by the scientists Norio Niikawa and Yoshikazu Kuroki. The condition is named Kabuki Syndrome because of the facial resemblance of affected individuals with white Kabuki makeup, a Japanese traditional theatrical form.