A SPECIAL little girl is smiling today after an operation which made her life just a bit easier.Bethany Woods, who has just turned six, was born with a rare form of muscular dystrophy and has spent her whole life in and out of hospital.

A SPECIAL little girl is smiling today after an operation which made her life just a bit easier.

Bethany Woods, who has just turned six, was born with a rare form of muscular dystrophy and has spent her whole life in and out of hospital.

However her most recent operation at Addenbrooke's Hospital in Cambridge was an elective procedure which should help her in future medical care.

The first operation saw a 'port-a-cath' fitted into her chest which will mean she won't face constant injections in her arms, and the second, completed at the same time, involved a procedure which to insert a 'Mickey Button' which should result in her needing less anaesthetic in the future.

Bethany's mum, Treena, said: “It is going to save a lot of trauma every time she goes into hospital.

“The decision to have the operation wasn't made lightly because there is a risk in any operation but the benefits of having it were so great.

“But it was fine, although she did get her two front teeth knocked out during the operation - they were already loose milk teeth though!

“Afterwards doctors at Addenbrooke's were really pleased with how well she did.

“We take each day as it comes.”

In the latest efforts to fundraise for Bethany, her family, of Cecil Road, Ipswich, organised an event to help pay for the equipment she needs, such as a new state-of-the-art wheelchair, at the Kesgrave Community Centre in Bell Lane, Kesgrave, yesterday.