Profiles

Tilly Griffiths is about as famous as a nine year old child can get.  You might well have heard of this little girl, who has to use a wheelchair because of a muscle-wasting disease. Tilly is in and out of the news because of her extraordinary courage and her determination to lead a full life.

Now, she and her family have agreed to go under the spotlight as part of a BBC radio series. Beccy Wood, a correspondent with BBC Stoke, will be working with them for twelve months - and you can see and hear how the series goes - right here on this page.
To hear the first of Beccy's reports, click on the link in the top right-hand corner of this page.

You can also follow the family's day-to-day progress on the Griffiths Family blog. Click below to see the blog.

At home with Tilly

Tilly and Candice, and mum Jackie and dad Rolf, live in Cheddleton in the Staffordshire Moorlands.

With Tilly having Muscular Atrophy Disease, a muscle-wasting condition, there has to be an elaborate system of mechanical help for her around the home - including a conveyor-style hoist and a specially adapted bathroom.
Getting up and going to school is quite a feat!

Nevertheless, Tilly is the inspiration for dozens of activities pursued by the family. During the series, you'll realise what a hectic schedule they have. Despite the problems, little holds the Griffiths back.

As mum Jackie explains: "We want more and more people to know just what life is like for a little girl like Tilly. Though hospital visits and pain & tears are a part of our life, it is also amazing how many times of happiness and laughter there are too."

Candice & Tilly at award ceremony

Fame

Tilly was named a Child Of Courage in October 2008, where she met celebrities such  as Prince Charles, David Beckham, and Sir Paul McCartney. Tilly and her older sister, Candice, had created a butterfly artwork which raised £330,000 at a special charity auction.
The event was shown on TV.

But she'd been in the news before then. When she was just six, she decided, despite the fact she was in a wheelchair, she was going to take ballet classes. Sure enough, proof of her determination persuaded some specialist engineers to construct a piece of equipment to keep her upright and moving...

During the radio series, you will also hear and see Tilly's progress on the sailing front. There's little more she enjoys than being out in a boat with the Rudyard Lake 'Sailability' group. In fact, she can already sail solo.
As Tilly says: "Out on the water, we are all equal!"