Alison joins fight to save hospitals

Alison, 41, from Shoreham, was born without arms and shortened legs, the result of a medical condition called phocomelia.

On Monday, she used her mouth to clasp a pen and write a Christmas card to health secretary Patricia Hewitt asking why Worthing Hospital could be closed.

Alison, who was made an MBE for services to art in 2003, gave birth to her healthy son Parys at Worthing Hospital six years ago.

But things could have been very different.

"I was probably one of the first disabled people to have a child at Worthing," said Alison. "They were just excellent. I was carrying my first baby and I wanted it so much. But obviously there were risks, there could be complications '“ you don't have to be disabled to have complications."

Despite fears, including whether her unborn child would also have physical abnormalities and how far into the pregnancy her small body would be able to cope, Alison had a successful birth.

She said: "It was quite emotional. Things could have been very different. I had to entrust my life and the life of my unborn child in the hospital. It is a fantastic hospital."

Alison, who currently uses the hospital for hydrotherapy, says she was "disgusted" when she heard about the proposed downgrading or closure.

She said: "Where are we supposed to go? And what do they mean downgrading?"

Alison says she recently spent time in hospital in Brighton and although she was happy with her treatment, she said: "It took my son and PAs one-and-a-half hours to come and see me.

"If my little boy has an accident we will have to get all the way to Brighton. More and more people will be ringing for ambulances and people will be waiting for hours.

"It just doesn't make sense. The Labour party bang on about how much they invest in people and hospitals so why is this happening?

"I will do anything to help the campaign '“ I would like to meet Tony (Blair) and have a little chat."

Worthing mayor, Tom Wye, said: "On behalf of the KWASH campaign, I would like to thank Alison for signing a card. When we asked her to help she didn't hesitate for a second."