A TEEN suffering from a rare neurological disorder has fulfilled her dream of being the belle of the ball while raising vital cash for friends with life-changing disabilities.

Connie Halpin, 19, who suffers from Rett Syndrome, was the princess she had always wished to be when she attended charity Unique Kidz's charity ball which raised £13,000.

The Bolton-le-Sands teenager has severe learning difficulties, limited speech, health and mobility problems as a result of the potentially life-limiting condition.

Music and dance lover Connie was 'over the moon' when she learned she was going to the event and prepared to overcome a massive personal challenge of speaking to a large crowd of people.

“Going out in the community is always hard as Connie’s appearance on the outside is a mask for the devastation having Rett Syndrome has caused, " said Connie's mum Jane Halpin, who is a co-founder of Unique Kidz and Co. "Connie is now 19 and it’s hard to see other girls the same age as my daughter out shopping with their friends and going to parties, knowing that she will never experience those things.

"She is oblivious to the stares and comments around her but I am not.

"I really didn’t know if Connie would like the hustle and bustle of the ball, but I need not have worried, she loved every minute!

"Listening to her say grace to the 160 guests and watching her dance and enjoy herself with her older sister was very emotional for me as something as simple as that just doesn’t happen for Connie."

Connie was like any other little girl until she was 18 months old when her parents saw her slip through a major regression, leaving her unable to play, speak and move as she had.

Speaking of the diagnosis, Mrs Halpin said: "It was totally devastating. Everything flashed through our minds all at once.

"Connie was still the same little girl but we now knew that her life and ours would be totally different.

“We really don’t know what the future holds for Connie.

"Rett syndrome can be very cruel and we have already seen it start to affect Connie’s strength and mobility.

"So bearing this in mind we intend her to experience as many things as possible.”