Freedom for Jenna | Auckland News | Local News in Auckland

She's only 4, but this gorgeous Albany child has faced more health challenges in her short life than most.  She's starting school soon and her family want to grant her one simple wish - hair. Rowena Orejana meets a special little girl.

Jenna Blom is a bit grumpy. It's lunchtime at Albany Junior Creche and all the other  kids have washed their hands and are sitting at the table.

But 4-year-old Jenna's grumpiness doesn't last long. As soon as food is set before her, she sits up. Dad Darryl comes in and she twinkles at him. After all, she's daddy's little princess.

Meanwhile, mum Tracy pricks Jenna's little finger to get her blood sugar level. Jenna is a type one diabetic. Mrs Blom then jabs her backside with an insulin injection. No fuss, no tears.

"She's used to it," says Mrs Blom."She's been having these shots since she was 9 months."

This bubbly little girl has had to deal with a lot. Jenna has Down Syndrome Congenital cataracts and the lenses in her eyes were surgically removed when Jenna was 6 weeks.

At 12 months, she had open heart surgery to close a 20mm hole.

Then, she lost all her hair, including eyebrows and eyelashes to alocepia, an autoimmune disease where the body's immune system  attacks the hair follicles causing hair loss.

In a few months Jenna will be off to primary school and out of the familiar comfort of the Albany Junior creche where the children accept her unreservedly.

Her parents are apprehensive. "We just want to make life a little bit easier for her," says Mr Blom.

"Kids often go by first impressions and, at the moment, the first impression would be Jenna doesn't fit in. We just want the initial contact with other children to be a little more normal."

Adds Mrs Blom: "We're trying to protect her as much as possible but still allow her to experience life. She's been through enough."

An adult friend with alocepia talked to them about Freedom Wig, a company that can make a wig especially for  Jenna that looks natural and can withstand day-to-day living.

The wig would cost about $2500. On top of what they are already spending on Jenna's medications, it is a bit too expensive.

"We are a strong family and never ask for help because we believe we manage just fine," says Mrs Blom.

"But there comes a time when pride must be swallowed and help from friends accepted."

One friend suggested an auction as a fundraiser and the project seems to have taken a life of its own. "Believe it or not we wanted a relatively low-key auction," she says.

Darryl said family and friends had donated various items.

"It's really quite surprising how many people would go out of their way to help. People are donating things for the auction. Some are putting money in Jenna's account," says Mr Blom.

The wig will last a year. As Jenna's head grows, it will have to be replaced. It will have a light brown to almost blonde colour and can be styled to suit her face.

In the meantime, Jenna has mastered another challenge. She climbs up and walks through a mini-rope bridge with Mum's help.When she gets to the end, she raises her beaming face and little arms triumphantly in the air to her Dad's exuberant cheer.

"She is captivating," says Mrs Blom. "She just loves everybody. We teach her to be strong and happy. That's all that we can really do."

How to help

Jenna's Fundraiser: Saturday, June 12,  1pm-4pm, Glen Eden Bowling Club, 25 Glendale Rd, Glen Eden.

Donations can be sent to Jenna's bank account: Jenna Blom, 060998 011068300.

What to bid for

Items for auction include: chocolate cakes from The Chocolate Cake Co, food hamper from the creche, another hamper from  Life Pharmacy, a bottle of Scotch whiskey, as well as wines. "The list is getting longer and longer,'' says Mrs Blom.