A YOUNG girl with severe autism and epilepsy has been given a new lease of life thanks to the creation of a special garden sanctuary at her Llandudno Junction.

Thanks to Flintshire firm Rubicon Garden Rooms, Bethany Sutton, aged 20, can enjoy the freedom of a new leafy bolthole to paint and enjoy her favourite TV programmes.

Bethany, whose condition is non-genetic and lives "day-to-day", was struck down with a mysterious condition at the age of two, impacting her growth and saw her lose most of her motor skills and her ability to talk. Her parents, Linda and Andy, gave up their careers as teachers to provide round-the-clock care for their daughter, alongside a team of carers.

Linda, aged 49, said: “It’s lovely to see her so happy. We knew what we wanted and what we were looking for. We saw Rubicon’s recommendations and met John and were really impressed.

“They did a lovely job and we love it – it’s amazing. I feel like she has her own place now. It gives her a little bit of independence.”

With numerous seizures and the diagnosis of a number of other complex health conditions including a bowel disorder, life has become a daily struggle for Bethany and her family.

But now Bethany is 20, they wanted to give her as much independence as her condition will allow by creating a safe space for her to relax and enjoy her favourite hobby of painting.

The family turned to the community for help in March this year, launching a £10,000 fundraising scheme for the sanctuary, and were stunned by the support they received.

Alongside a host of fundraising events including a massage day run by a local beauty therapist, the couple were soon able to go ahead with the project and say it is the best decision they have ever made.

“My husband and I organised the fundraising ourselves, we started in the spring and have been really bowled over by people’s kindness. We are selling some of Bethany’s art designs as cards around the local area during the summer, and some of her acrylic paintings.” said Linda, who has suffered from an inoperable brain hamatoma herself for the past 20 years which causes her to regularly collapse.

The 3metre by 4.5m garden room, which has spotlighting throughout, features a small kitchenette where Bethany’s carers can wash her paintbrushes and administer any medical care.

Bethany’s parents have added padded walls and carpet to protect her in the event of a seizure and have fitted the room out with a sofa and a special swinging chair where Bethany loves to look out at the garden and wildlife.

She has already displayed some of her abstract paintings, which she paints with her hands, in the Royal Cambrian Academy in Conwy.

Linda added: “Nobody knows her life expectancy. We live day by day. She has a lot of pain and we just try and give her a good life.

“She uses the room every day and takes her carers there. We just couldn’t imagine life without it now.

“We cannot thank the community enough for all they have done. We are so very grateful for their support. It has made a big difference to Bethany’s life.”

John Lyon, founder and managing director of Deeside-based Rubicon Garden Rooms, said: “We were thrilled to be asked to create a sanctuary for Bethany which gives her the safe space she needs to follow her passion for painting and art.

“The new room has made a huge difference to Bethany’s life and her independence and we are so privileged to be involved with the project. We wish Bethany and her family lots of fun in her special place.”