Fundraisers are trying to make a dream come true for a Bradford woman born with a chromosome abnormality so rare she is the world’s only known survivor of it.

Two other people diagnosed with the abnormality died before they were 18 months old but Zoe Firth, of Clayton, is now 31, defying doctors predictions she would not reach her second birthday.

Her mum Helen Rigby desperately wants to take her to Disneyland Paris for her 32nd birthday in September, so she can meet Mickey Mouse whom she adores. Any funds left over will go to the Make A Wish Foundation to help other poorly children achieve their dreams.

Zoe is not able to speak or hear, is partially blind, and has spondolosis of the spine which makes movement difficult. She also has a heart defect and has severe epilepsy believed to have been caused by a traumatic forceps delivery which left her brain-damaged.

Friends of her family are now rallying support for a fun day on Sunday, August 4, at Fields Sports And Social Club in Hollingwood Lane – including Motown and Reggae performances.

Friend Becky Hendy said Zoe was like a child trapped in a woman’s body, making life challenging in the extreme for her mother who is her main carer.

“Zoe has had a really bad year through illness this year and has given her mum a few scary moments,” she said.

“Raising funds to send them on a short holiday to Disneyland would be a dream come true for them.

“Helen is an amazing mum. She has so much to do at home and such a huge responsibility but still finds time to help others.”

A long-haul trip to the Disney theme parks in Florida would be too much for Zoe, says her supporters. Fundraisers had made the trip to the USA possible for her 18th birthday but the strain of the journey made her too ill to enjoy it fully.

The chromosome abnormality Zoe is called Long Arm Three.

Mum Helen said: “She did her best to enjoy it but she was so ill. She would never be able to stand that journey again now but she loves Mickey Mouse– she’s been obsessed with him since she was a baby”

Although Zoe goes to a day centre in Keighley and single-parent Miss Rigby has some help, the bulk of Zoe’s practical care is down to her. The physical strain has led to her suffering serious health problems and she has had to undergo major surgery.

She said: “Zoe’s health is getting worse now, it’s very difficult. I want to take her to Disney for just a few days while we still can. We only need so much to make the trip happen so if we go over our goal we would like to give it to the Make A Wish Foundation to make other young people’s dreams come true.”

Anyone interested in helping to raise the £1,500 cost of the trip for Zoe should contact Miss Rigby at misspuma21@gmail.com