Imagine a world where a life-altering diagnosis doesn't dim a child's spirit, but instead, fuels their fire. That's the remarkable reality for Eleanor, a London teenager who's captured hearts with her talent and resilience. At just three years old, Eleanor faced an inoperable brain tumor that took her sight. But as you'll see, it certainly didn't take her zest for life.
Eleanor, a self-described 'sassy' and 'very funny' teenager, navigates the world with the help of her white cane, affectionately nicknamed 'Mike' after the actor Michael Caine. Now, she's preparing to shine on the BBC Children in Need stage, and she's absolutely thrilled! She's part of this year's choir, set to perform on the fundraising show on November 14th.
Her mother, Kelly, shares that Eleanor fearlessly embraces every opportunity, having faced so much, she doesn't sweat the small stuff. This unwavering positivity is truly inspiring.
Eleanor's journey hasn't been easy. For most of her 14 years, she's been in and out of hospitals, undergoing scans, tests, neurosurgery, and chemotherapy. It all began when she was just about to start school. Her mother recalls the early signs: Eleanor dropping things, struggling to find them, and asking about colors. An eye test revealed something wasn't right, and the family was thrust into a world of specialists and hospitals. Eleanor was diagnosed with a Low Grade Hypothalamic Glioma, an incurable brain tumor that permanently damaged her optical nerves, leaving her severely sight-impaired. She can perceive light and dark, but not details or faces. But even with these challenges, Eleanor finds joy in the world. Her dad, Tim, says she loves pigeons because she can see their dark grey forms against the lighter pavements.
Eleanor's story is particularly poignant because she's directly benefited from a charity supported by BBC Children In Need donations. Living Paintings, a free postal library, provides accessible books called 'Touch to See.' These books have allowed her to explore classic characters, like Julia Donaldson's Superworm, through touch.
"It just kind of opened my imagination really, because suddenly it was open to my fingertips," Eleanor explains. She describes the intricate details she can feel, like the smoothness of a character's nose and eyes compared to the face and ears. Her dad adds that these books have allowed her to learn through tactile art, expanding her knowledge in ways she couldn't otherwise.
Eleanor's talents extend beyond her love for reading. She's a talented performer, finding solace in her weekly singing lessons. She's played Tiny Tim in productions of A Christmas Carol at the Old Vic and voiced Lark, an animated character in Milo on Channel 5. The BBC followed her preparations to narrate a live audio description of The Witches at the National Theatre last year, a role usually performed by sighted people.
But here's where it gets controversial... Without significant medical breakthroughs, Eleanor's sight is unlikely to return, and her brain tumor will remain. She undergoes regular scans to monitor its growth, and treatments will continue into her teens and twenties.
Despite these challenges, Eleanor's positivity shines through. "I try not to be negative because a lot of negative stuff has happened to me, but I don't want to focus on that. I want to focus on all the good stuff that I'm doing."
What do you think about Eleanor's incredible resilience? Do you agree that focusing on the positive is the best approach, even in the face of adversity? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
