A BRAVE youngster is facing reconstructive surgery on her skull just weeks after her first birthday.

Laura Brown, from Bicester, is celebrating some good news after her 11-month-old daughter Maisey was given a surgery date after being born with a condition called craniosynostosis.

The mum-of-six said she is happy to finally have a date for the youngster, but hopes she can also help raise awareness for the condition during craniosynostosis acceptance month this September.

Maisey will go into theatre in the weeks after her first birthday on September 30.

The rare condition develops when a baby's skull fuses prematurely in the womb, becoming bone.

It comes in a range of different forms, but in Maisey's case only part of her skull fused in the womb.

This caused her skull to develop on a twist as she continues to grow.

Ms Brown, who gave up her job as a dog trainer to look after her youngest daughter, said: "With Maisey, when she was in the womb the left side of her skull fused prematurely which normally doesn't happen until later on in childhood.

"Effectively her face now grows on a twist because one side of her skull is closed already, which leaves her with pressure on the brain."

Ms Brown said it wasn't until Maisey was born that she started noticing one eye was slightly lower than the other.

She also has regular seizures because of the condition.

The condition has also stunted Maisie's development, such as her being unable to crawl, or hold herself up.

But mentally her mother says she is 'amazing'.

Ms Brown said: "My instant reaction was to blame myself and I asked whether it was something genetic, but doctors told me it is just one of those things.

"It is quite rare although I do know a couple of other mums in the area with children with the condition although in different variations of it."

Maisey has been given the date after months on the waiting list.

Ms Brown said: "It is amazing, a bit of a shock to get the call and now it is all very real.

"I hadn't broken down until I got the call, it is scary as she will be in hospital for five days – the longest she's been in so far.

"They will basically rebuild her skull, which will hopefully stop anymore moving into a twist and relieve any pressure on the brain.

"We have been told by the hospital that she should be able to continue to live normally."

The full time single mum said her children have been great throughout the time they've been waiting for surgery and are even planning joint birthday and Halloween celebrations for once Maisey has recovered.