Parents' pride as Huddersfield teen fights rare cancer 'with a smile'

When Huddersfield teenager Emily Swales was diagnosed with a rare cancer last year, her mum and dad were unsure how she would cope.

But Emily, who lives with a range of disabilities including cerebral palsy, epilepsy and autism, has shown incredible resilience and determination through gruelling treatments including surgery and 12 blood transfusions. Her mum and dad, Caroline and Andrew, of Huddersfield, say they couldn't be prouder of Emily as she was named Young Person of the Year by Sense, the disability charity.

Emily, who turned 16 in August, was just three days old when she collapsed with low blood sugars, and has an acquired brain injury from neonatal hypoglycaemia. This has caused her to have a range of complex disabilities including global development delay, epilepsy, a visual impairment, cerebral palsy and autism. The family has been supported by Sense since Emily was little.

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Emily, who attends a special needs school, was diagnosed with bone cancer in February 2023, after attending A&E when she injured her ankle at a trampoline park. When doctors noticed an abnormality in her leg bone, she had further tests including an MRI scan and a biopsy, which confirmed a rare and aggressive bone cancer called Ewing's Sarcoma.

At the time of diagnosis, Emily’s parents, Caroline, 60, and Andrew, 57, were unsure how they were going to get through the treatment, especially given Emily’s disabilities and her level of understanding.

Sadly Emily’s best friend, her family dog, Wendy, also died this year, adding to her upset and stress. But mum and dad say that Emily, who has four big brothers, has dealt with her situation in a way they could have never imagined.

Emily has been through an intense chemotherapy process, in total having 14 chemotherapy treatments, 12 blood transfusions and six weeks of radiotherapy treatment. Her parents say she has taken everything in her stride and did everything she was asked to, including travelling to Birmingham for surgery, and going back to school in between chemotherapy sessions when she felt well enough.

Unfortunately Emily is still using a wheelchair nine months after her treatment finished. Doctors hope to reconstruct her leg to improve her mobility.

Caroline and Andrew say they are extremely proud of their daughter, and that they couldn’t have dealt with all the things she has been through. They say she’s done everything she’s been asked to do with a smile.

In recognition of Emily’s amazing resilience over the past 18 months, she has been shortlisted for Sense’s Young Person of the Year. Emily said: "You should never stop trying, never stop believing, never give up, life is for living and I intend to live mine to the full."

Emily’s parents said: "If there is one thing as parents of an additional needs child we have learnt, it’s that everyone who’s disabled or has sensory impairments goes through tough times, but they know that tough times don’t last but tough people do!"

Richard Kramer, Chief Executive at Sense, said: "Emily’s story has touched everyone at Sense, who have been blown away by her incredible resilience and positive attitude at a time of adversity.

"We’re so glad that Emily has won this Sense Award and we hope it’s brought a smile to the whole family!"

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