A three-year-old girl from Northern Ireland living with a rare genetic disorder has made significant physical progress after months of specialist therapy funded by a community campaign.

Catherine Cox was born in September 2022 and began having multiple seizures each day at eight weeks old. Following hospital tests, including MRIs and genetic screening, she was diagnosed in November 2023 with CDKL5 deficiency disorder, a condition that affects approximately one in 60,000 children worldwide and causes severe developmental delays.

Her mother, Joanne Cox, said that a year ago Catherine could barely hold her head up and had almost no core control. Since then, the family has used donations to access intensive therapy sessions with practitioners from Canada and Brazil, as well as regular sessions in Belfast and Derry.

During a recent intensive in Dromore, County Down, with Toronto-based therapist Simona De Marchi, Catherine managed 20 seconds of standing with support only at her ankles. Ms De Marchi had previously worked with the child in December 2025, when Catherine was frequently frail and vomiting, and her seizures were difficult to manage.

Joanne Cox said the family accepts that progress can be set back by unpredictable seizures but celebrates every achievement. She noted that the therapies have improved both Catherine’s physical abilities and her overall wellbeing.

The fundraising campaign has now collected over £130,000 from almost 1,200 contributors, with a target of £140,000. The money pays for therapies that would otherwise be unavailable. The family expressed gratitude to everyone who has donated or sent messages of support.