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'I want more children to feel like superheroes'

Oxford Hospitals Charity Sylvie with Play Specialist Naomi Taylor, smiling for the camera at the hospital while stretching their arms in a superhero flying pose. Sylvie is holding a small beige teddy bear.Oxford Hospitals Charity
Sylvie said the people in the hospital, such as play specialist Naomi Taylor, "were really nice"

A six-year-old girl who experienced severe brain swelling has become the face of her hospital's Christmas campaign.

Sylvie, from Abingdon, Oxfordshire, has been the inspiration behind the new Oxford Hospitals Charity Christmas Appeal.

She wrote and illustrated a story about her experiences at the hospital earlier this year called Sylvie's Superpowers.

Her message to people is to donate and "help other children in hospital feel like superheroes".

Oxford Hospitals Charity Sylvie during her treatment on Bellhouse Ward. She is looking away from the camera. She is wearing a white pijalams with various colourful characters on. Her hair is braided. She is lying on several cushions.Oxford Hospitals Charity
"Mummy thought they would see Sylvie's superpowers and other interesting things - chocolate, friends, rainbows and sheep," Sylvie's story reads

Sylvie was rushed in for an emergency MRI because of a disorder called acute cerebellitis and spent time on the Bellhouse Ward.

"She was in and out of consciousness, had trouble swallowing and had issues with her balance," mum Caroline said.

"It was a very scary time for us, but I was really reassured that we were in the right place and the staff knew how to take care of her medically, physically and mentally.

"They were so thoughtful and caring and we knew she was their priority."

Sylvie also said she had been "a bit scared at first".

"But the people in hospital were really nice and I liked playing with them," she said.

"They made me feel like a superhero."

Oxford Hospitals Charity Sylvie with Play Specialist Naomi Taylor - they are smiling for the camera in the hospital. Sylvie is holding a small beige teddy bear. A play area could be seen behind them.Oxford Hospitals Charity
Sylvie said the hospital staff that had looked after her made her feel "like a superhero"

The story she wrote about her experience starts: "Once upon a time, there was a girl called Sylvie.

"One day her head hurt so much that she had to go to hospital. The doctors wanted to see inside her head."

Sylvie's tale ends with the appeal: "Please help other children in hospital to feel like superheroes."

Her mum said Sylvie's consultant had the idea as a way to help the recovery process.

"While she was in hospital, we talked a lot about her superpowers of getting better and all the things that she was doing that were really positive," Caroline said.

"But she always said she wanted other children to be able to read it and know that they could get better and use their superpowers just like her."

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