Twelve year-old Sophie was only the 12th person in the world to be diagnosed with the illness. There is currently only one other person in New Zealand suffering from it.

CFC syndrome causes a number of complications and Sophie has a hole in the heart, problems with her heart valves and both her facial features and skin are affected.  Her life has been a series of visits to doctors and hospitals and there have been some tough times for Sophie and her family.

But Sophie is full of spunk and she loves being around people and playing with her friends. Sophie is involved in riding for the disabled, swimming and skiing.

In 2006 Sophie had a dream come true – Cure Kids arranged for her to have a brand new hair do – 250 extensions later, Sophie has not looked back! Her new favourite activites are plaiting her hair and flicking her ponytails!