Grant will help to put baby Isla's future in focus

One-year-old Isla Grace Smart was diagnosed with ocular albinism when she was only a few months old.

At first her parents Dave, 37, and Katie, 29, from Coseley, feared she was completely blind.

But after seeking advice from support workers they began using lights and other sensory equipment when playing with their daughter at home.

It was also used when the youngster was attending groups.

And within a couple of months, the couple, to their delight, started to notice their daughter was beginning to follow certain lights and colours.

A short time later, experts were able to confirm little Isla did have some vision. Her parents have been working to develop this further.

Katie's cousin, Marie Harnett, is a customer of OneFamily, a mutual organisation owned by and run for its customers.

She successfully submitted an application to the organisation's foundation for a personal grant of £500.

And the family was delighted when the application was approved. The cash has been used to fund specialist sensory lights and other equipment, which has been installed at the youngster's home in Rounds Road.

It has also been used to buy toys which help to focus Isla's other senses – such as items which make different sounds.

Marie, who also lives in Coseley, said she had decided to submit an application for the funding.

"When I heard about the personal grants I automatically thought of Isla," she said.

"It was such an incredible feeling when we found out she does have some vision after initially being told she was completely blind.

"Her parents work so hard to support her, spending lots of time with her and taking her to sensory support groups so it is nice to be able to help them out in this way.

"They wanted to continue their work with Isla at home but sensory equipment can be really quite expensive.

"We want to support her development as much as possible and this equipment will make such a difference."

Marie said specialist lights, including fibre optic devices, were among the equipment which had been installed.

Julie Stead-Connor, community manager at OneFamily, said: "We're so pleased and proud to be in a position where we can help deserving causes like little Isla.

"We're thrilled to hear that her eyesight is already starting to develop and we hope this equipment will help her progress even further. We wish her and her family all the best for the future."

OneFamily is a mutual organisation providing investments, savings, health and life insurance to help families work together and meet financial demands.

Its foundation re-distributes a portion of its profits and intends to provide £5 million to its customers over the next five years to help them, their families and communities.

The foundation has already helped hundreds of customers with personal grants since its launch last year.

People can apply for a grant to help them personally, or even to assist a family member or close friend.

Community awards are also available to customers to help boost a project in their local area.