Eye device a window to Addison's soul

Addison Read is a smart girl trapped in a body that cannot respond when she wants to talk, lift her hands or play games.

Diagnosed with the genetic disorder Rett syndrome two years ago, the four-year-old spends her waking hours in a wheelchair and depends on her parents Trent and Narelle for everything.

Rett syndrome affects the nervous system and body movement, including speech and hand use.

Addison also has a respiratory condition and seizures that often put her in hospital. She has low bone density that makes her prone to fractures.

Addison often struggles to let her parents know what she wants but that has started to change in recent weeks because of a revolutionary device known as Eye Gaze, a computer which has activities and commands that she can control with her eyes by tracking her focus.

Although Addison has the $29,000 equipment only on loan, her father says it has become the window to her soul.

"So far she's embraced this equipment really well and she's smiling and laughing when she can see what she can do with her eyes," Mr Read said.

"She's off to kindy next year, so we're hoping it will also help with her learning as well as her communication."

Family friend Nick Murray competed in the Rottnest Marathon on Sunday as part of a fund-raising effort to help the Reads buy Addison her own Eye Gaze device and cover the cost of speech therapy to show her how to use it fully.

So far he has helped raise about $14,000 for the family. Visit mycause for details or read the story.