THE MOTHER of a severely disabled 10-year-old girl says a respite centre in Huddersfield would give her family more independence and quality time.

Harriett Lindley, 10, from Oldfield, has lissencephaly, a neurological disorder which causes severe physical and mental disability. Harriett is unable to walk or talk, and suffers epileptic seizures.

Her mother, Martine, 35, is effectively a full-time carer, dressing, bathing, and feeding her daughter every four hours.

Doctors predicted Harriett, who attends Castle Hill Special School, would live only two years, but her strong willpower has kept her alive for much longer.

Mrs Lindley, a part-time nursery nurse, said: "She has such strong will and she's a real character. When she's happy, she's really happy. She loves people and she's fun to be around but she's also very demanding.

"We're 24/7 carers. We have only one day a week in the school holidays when a carer comes round.

"You don't sleep soundly because you have to keep one ear open. One night can be very different from the next. I've gone back to work but I can work only two days a week. They've been very flexible. You can't go too far because you have to constantly be on call.

"There are so many appointments to keep and you have to go to the chemist every week. Even when she's not there you're thinking about her. You become a disabled family."

The demands of a heavily dependent sibling have taken their toll on Harriett's seven-year-old sister Olivia.

Martine said: "Olivia is very understanding but if she wants to join a club we've got to think about Harriett."

The family including husband Robert, 41, and her others daughters Olivia and Georgie, 14 months, visit Martin House several times a year.

The facility allows the family to spend more quality time together. But at up to one hour's drive away the family is unable to plan their family or social life.

Mrs Lindley said: "When we got to Martin House we can do a lot more. We get to spend more quality time with Olivia.

"Martin House is great but it's very difficult to let a child that's so dependent go on her own. You can't organise a night out or have a family event. The other children have to take time out of school when we go.

"To have a local respite centre would allow us to do something normal families can do and we could have peace of mind that she's safe and only 20 or 30 minutes away."

Patricia Fuller, from Kilner Bank, Huddersfield has been a paediatric nurse since 1965. She has worked at St James's Hospital in Leeds and has close links with Martin House children's hospice in Boston Spa, near Wetherby.

Ms Fuller said: "Unless people are involved with children who have a life-limiting illness they have no idea what it's like to look after that child every day.

"That child doesn't go out into the world and will remain dependent on their parents or carers.

"To get some respite is like lifting a heavy weight from their shoulders.

"Inside a respite centre you get a feeling of love, happiness and relaxation. It gives parents the support of other parents and the staff.

"We need a respite centre. There are an awful lot of children in this area who could use them. There isn't one in the UK that isn't over-subscribed."

The Forget Me Not Trust will submit plans for a respite centre and hospice off Fell Greave Road, Brackenhall to Kirklees Council on December 1.

The Trust is on 01484 489789 or log on to www.forgetmenottrust.co.uk.