Inspirational teen living with Down's syndrome is busting myths about her condition - through DANCING
Image by: Ellis Wylam
An inspirational teenage girl living with Down's syndrome is busting myths about her condition - through DANCING.
Francesca Goff, 18, was born with the condition which affects around 775 babies each year in the UK and wants others to know the condition is nothing to fear.
Her parents, Annemarie and Frank Goff, initially worried about Francesca and the quality of life she would lead - until their daughter discovered dancing.
But fearless Francesca struts her stuff at every opportunity - and now dances at shows throughout the UK.
Francesca, who this year attended the UN in Geneva to speak about her experiences, is part of three dance groups in Cornwall.
She dances with PicNMix, a group by the Cornwall Down’s Syndrome Support Group, and she is part of the Collective Dance Group and TR14ers - a hip hop community dance charity.
Francesca said: "I like to make my family proud and myself proud and I want to work hard as best as I can.
“I like being with my friends having fun and learning to communicate well and learn new dances.”
In her earlier years, Francesca experienced the typical symptoms of a child with Down’s syndrome - with both her walking and speech delayed.
But now her life has completely transformed, and the family travel from their home in Camborne, Cornwall, so Francesca can dance at Public Health conferences.
Image by: Ellis Wylam
Image by: Ellis Wylam
Image by: Ellis Wylam
Annemarie said: “She has always enjoyed dancing.
“Her real love of dancing started in primary school and since then she has performed for local festivals all around Cornwall to raise the profile of Down’s syndrome and show people what they are actually capable of.”
The Goffs have always wanted to spread awareness around Francesca’s life with Down’s Syndrome - but said there is a lot more to be done.
Francesca's father Frank said: “People always ask the question ‘is life tough having a child with Down’s syndrome?’ and my answer is always the same and that is that it is like having any other child.
“But the more people get out there about Down’s syndrome the less afraid of it people are.”
Whilst Francesca knew that she was being treated differently growing up it is not something she says she ever really worried about.
But her sister Cecily, who is two years older, went to the same school as Francesca and said she would notice her sister being treated differently and it would annoy her.
Cecily said: “Sometimes people don’t include her, not because they are nasty people but because they don’t understand and they don’t know how to approach it.
“Down’s syndrome has always been a part of my life so I never thought it was a thing.
“But when I went to secondary schools you get the segregation of kids with special needs but they are fine when they speak to you in the playground.
“It is important that that is exposed and shown as normal and it’s something that needs to be focused on more.”
Helen Laverty, who is the professional lead for Learning Disability Nursing at the University of Nottingham and met Francesca in Geneva, said: “She is never afraid to speak up or out.
“She is the most effective role model for young children and parents with Down’s Syndrome who are just entering the scary world of main stream education.
"Francesca inspires people to dream big.”
Video by: Gabriella Petty
Impressive moment waiter carrying four meals manages to not drop a single plate after falling over
Image by: Jamie Shoebridge
This is the impressive moment a waiter fell to the floor carrying four meals - but didn't drop a single plate.
Jamie Shoebridge, 24, has been waiting tables for three years but may consider a career at a circus after this incredible juggling act.
CCTV cameras captured him crashing to the floor after slipping on peppercorn sauce - taking down a big decorative plant in the restaurant with him.
But bizarrely he somehow managed to keep hold of the plate he was holding in his left hand - and continue to balance three other meals on a tray he was also carrying on his right.
Restaurant supervisor Jamie, from Nottingham, said he jumped back up and delivered the meals as planned with his guests none-the-wiser.
The only casualty of the three roast beef dinners and bangers and mash dish was one sausage and a few peas.
Image by: Jamie Shoebridge
He said: “One minute I was walking along with the plates and the next minute I was on the floor.
“I lost my footing and fell down face first.
“There was some peppercorn sauce on the floor and I slipped on it. It’s all a blur and I’m not sure how it happened.
“It was just an instinct to lift my arms up and try to save the plates. I just got back up and carried on as normal.
“I have no idea how none of the plates got smashed. I’m impressed with myself.
“The only thing that fell off the plate was one sausage and a few peas.”
Jamie’s little accident happened on Sunday afternoon (9) during the lunchtime rush.
He said after falling over and realising three of the meals were still intact, he carried on
Jamie added: “It didn’t hurt but I was very confused as to how it happened.
“We all had a laugh about it in the office.
“It has become a bit of a running joke at work now.”
Video by: Gabriella Petty
This is the hilarious video of a woman who refused to be defeated by windblown gates - as she battled to keep them closed
Image by: Pam Parker
This is the hilarious video of a woman who refused to be defeated by windblown gates - as she battled to keep them closed.
Pam Parker, 38, was trying to close the gates at Auld Mills Farm, Dumfries, Dumfries and Galloway but strong winds brought by Storm Brendan kept blowing them back open.
CCTV footage caught Pam as she struggled with these uncooperative gates, closing one side only for the other side to fly open.
But determined Pam refused to give up, battling the wind for nearly two minutes before getting them to shut on January 11.
The owner of the farm Tommy Lockhart, who shared the footage, can be heard saying: “What a legend” when Pam eventually managed to close the gates.
Pam and husband Andrew, 40, are both horse racing photographers but rent land at the farm for some of their 100 head pedigree Dutch Spotted sheep flock.
Image by: Pam Parker
Image by: Pam Parker
Pam, who lives near Dumfries, said: “The video was taken during Storm Brendan two weeks ago.
“We rent some land on the farm where we keep our sheep.
“I was there visiting the sheep. When I arrived I opened the gates and pinned them back but when I tried to shut them the wind just kept blowing them.
“I faffed around for a couple of minutes and then I realised the camera was pointing right at me.
“I was thinking this is ridiculous, I tried a few times to get them shut but once I had closed one side I wasn’t fast enough closing the other side.
“When my husband put the video on Facebook he thought I would kill him, but I saw the funny side, it is hilarious.
“I thought I might as well laugh at myself.”
Video by: Pam Parker
This is the incredible moment water flowed UPWARDS - after waves were caught in a rare sea vortex.
Image by: Samy Jacobsen
This is the incredible moment water flowed UPWARDS - after waves were caught in a rare sea vortex.
Samy Jacobsen, 41, was out walking along the cliffs off Suðuroy in the Faroe Islands when he spotted a whirlwind of water rising from the waves.
He watched as the vortex of spray climbed up the side of the 470m sea cliff - known as Beinisvørð - and billowing on to the cliff top, on Monday.
Weather experts said it was a water spout - a spiralling pillar of air - which forms like a tornado over the water when a cliff edge spins the wind in a circle.
Samy said: "I felt like going for a walk in an area that seldom explore and I also wanted to try out my sister’s Iphone 11 pro max which I knew could take great pictures and videos.
"From home I could see that the scene was definitely set for great pictures since the sky and the sea were almost colliding in the storm.
"I took pictures and shot a few videos and when I shot that one it triggered the wow affect for sure.
"I saw something being blown up into the air from that area before but I have never investigated it though.
"In the vicinity there are many small rivers that defy gravity in stormy conditions and an awful lot of sea water is blown up and travels pretty far up land.
"So it is not always easy to tell what it is.
"I sent it to some friends and they all thought that it was very beautiful and special."
Image by: Samy Jacobsen
Greg Dewhurst senior operational meteorologist at the Met Office described the phenomenon as "spectacular".
He said: "To us here in the operations centre it looks like a water spout (a spiralling pillar of air), which is a little like a tornado but it forms over the water.
"The cliff edge is helping to spin the wind around and we think this is why it forms quite quickly.
"The weather over the area is unsettled with heavy showers and these ingredients together help form the water spouts.
"Water spouts are not too uncommon during unsettled weather but make spectacular videos and photos."
Video by: Gabriella Petty
A ten-year-old girl has become one of the first girl scouts to get every single Beaver and Cub activity badge
Image by: Beth Shaw
A ten-year-old girl has become one of the first to get every single Beaver and Cub activity badge.
Willow Woolhouse completed every activity badge possible when she was in the Beavers, and last week received her final Cub achievement.
But getting all 57 badges - proudly sewn down the arms of her green sweater - was far from easy.
She had to learn to horse ride, become proficient in Morse code, teach herself to cook the perfect omelette and master the martial art of Tang Soo Do - from scratch.
School prefect Willow also had to impress her cub Akela - leader - with her stargazing skills and make her own bird box to get her DIY badge.
The only girl in her cub pack, Willow picked up her final badge last week - a photography patch - awarded for her series of snaps of her proud mum Beth Shaw, 42.
Willow is one of very few girls to get every Beaver and Cub activity badge - Rebecca Hooper, 10, did the same in 2009, when there were fewer cub badges available.
Cub 'sixer' Willow moves up to the Scouts after Christmas - and has her sights set firmly on achieving all 62 badges there.
Willow, from Stockport, Greater Manchester, said: "I feel really happy about getting them all. When I look back on my life I can't picture myself not being a cub or a beaver.
"It's just that friendship with everyone there that's really got me."
Willow joined the 3rd Bramhall beavers when she was five-years-old because she lives opposite the scout hut with mum Beth, and scientist teacher dad Robert, 39.
It took her three years to get all 20 Beavers activity badges she could achieve - plus the Chief Scout Bronze award.
Her first badge - her favourite - was gained for cooking, and was achieved by mastering a series of culinary skills, including making an omelette for her mum.
Willow said: "It was the first time I'd used a frying pan. Since then though eggs are my speciality and I've even invented some original recipes."
She then got 19 more - including ones for cycling, disability awareness and collecting.
Image by: Beth Shaw
Image by: Beth Shaw
Image by: Beth Shaw
Image by: Beth Shaw
Image by: Beth Shaw
Some were completed at her weekly session, and others at school or home, but documented with photographs she could submit to her leaders.
Willow graduated to cubs aged eight-and-a-half, and began to work through all 37 available badges.
Her favourite was fire safety, which involved an exciting visit to the local station.
She said she only recently realised she'd got all available badges.
Willow added: "Because it was so long ago that I started beavers and I was so young.
"My mum probably told me I had all my beaver badges but I'm not the type of person who remembers that kind of thing.
"Of course, I will be involved with scouts when I am an adult, even thought I have ambitions to be a cosmologist."
She got into star gazing thanks to a scout badge, which prompted her to get a telescope for her birthday.
But despite all the badges, it's the friendship that keeps Willow going back to her weekly club.
She wrote a novel called 'Survival Girls' about her pals' camp adventures, which she hopes will be published one day.
Her proud mum Beth, an operations manager, volunteers with the pack.
She said: "I'm really pleased and proud of her, because these badges are quite difficult to get.
"And she never doesn't want to do them. She's so enthusiastic about putting the work in to get them.
"Sometimes you can submit school work in order to achieve them - sometimes you have to put a lot of new effort into it.
"One of the harder ones she had to learn how to horse ride - but she did it. For her communication badge she needed to learn morse code. They all have to put in a lot of effort.
"At school they say she's very interesting to talk to. She's got a lot of different aspects to her. She doesn't play on computer games, and she's not into TV. She knows about the outdoors and nature and DIY though!
"Her leaders have given her so much support and guidance. They are fantastic role models."
A spokesman for The Scout Association said: “Well done Willow - it’s a real achievement to develop all the skills required to achieve all the Beaver Scout Badges and the Cub Scout Badges.
"To achieve this feat Willow much have shown grit determination and resilience.
"She joins an exclusive and very small group of other Cub Scouts who have gained all their badges and in doing so have develop the skills they will need to make their way in life.
"We are very proud of Willow and of the volunteer Leaders from 3rd Bramhall Cubs that have supported her on her journey. Well done"
Video by: Gabriella Petty
A brother and sister have become the first mixed sibling duo to row across any ocean - covering more than 3,000 miles in an incredible 43 days
Image by: Jon Mills
A brother and sister have become the first mixed sibling duo to row across any ocean - covering more than 3,000 miles in an incredible 43 days.
Anna and Cameron McLean battled isolation, technical difficulties and were even tailed by a shark during their grueling journey across the perilous Atlantic Ocean.
The team - dubbed 'The Seablings' - set off from the island of La Gomera, Canary Islands, before Christmas in their 24ft boat.
They reached Antigua on Saturday (Jan 25) after exactly 43 days, 15 hours and 22 minutes at sea - beating the previous record for a mixed pair by ten days.
The brutal expedition saw them experience extreme dehydration, fatigue and seasickness - which became so bad it was described as "totally incapacitating".
The pair, from Icomb, Glos., are hoping to enjoy some relaxing Caribbean hospitality for a week before they fly to the UK and their normal jobs.
Anna, 25, said: "Absolutely nothing can prepare you for the extremity of the Atlantic Ocean and just what it can bring. It is completely unpredictable.
"Our goal initially was to simply survive on our 24ft rowing boat.
"But as soon as the waves grew larger so did our confidence to overcome them and before we knew it our competitiveness to start racing.
"For me the toughest part was battling seasickness. It was totally incapacitating, as soon as I stopped rowing I was being sick.
"This meant I had to sleep on deck through the freezing nights as [being] in the claustrophobic cabin sloshing around in the waves made the sickness even worse.
"I couldn’t have asked for a better crew mate, best friend, and brother.
"Some of the highlights of the trip were when we were rowing together, laughing, singing at the top of our lungs and embracing being at one with nature.
"Now, safe in the arms of friends and family, a few hot showers and fresh meals later I look back on what this great voyage has taught me."
Image by: Jon Mills
Image by: Jon Mills
The pair completed the impressive challenge unsupported, eating from a bag and having foods like peanut butter for breakfast.
Dangers included other, larger vessels and the ever-present threat of capsizing due to the weather.
Their watermaker - which turns saltwater into drinkable freshwater - also broke at one point, which posed its own problem.
But they also got to see some incredible sights, including beautiful sunsets and pods of dolphins swimming alongside their boat.
Apart from each other, their only human interaction was with the captains of passing ships - and on social media.
Cameron, known as Cam, 32, said: "This epic challenge has changed me in so many positive ways.
"One being [that] I now have a much greater appreciation for our forefathers and grandparents who during the war had to ration everything they had.
"Realising our society today is way too disposable I will now make every effort back on land to reduce waste and to live a resourceful life style."
Their efforts in the Talisker Whisky Challenge 2019 have so far raised more than £25,000 for charity - and counting.
They are collecting money for UN Women UK, which supports projects around the world which empowers women.
Anna works as a consultant for AlfaPeople, a partner of Microsoft. She previously rowed at a collegiate level, at university in Clemson, South Carolina, USA.
Cam began rowing at school in Cheltenham, Glos., at the aged of 13. He is now training to be a commercial pilot.
Video by: Ellis Wylam
A British teenager has become the UK's youngest qualified commercial pilot - after his mum sold the family home to help fund his dreams
Image by: Seth Van Beek
An 18-year old has become the UK's youngest qualified commercial pilot - after his mum sold the family home to help fund his dreams.
Seth Van Beek got his licence to fly passenger airliners after he completed 18 months training and clocked up 150 hours in the air before he passed with flying colours.
He set his sights on being a pilot since the age of eight, and selfless single mum Frances, 42, sold their three-bed home to fund his dream.
Seth, from Preston, London, is now the UK's youngest licensed commercial aviator, a record previously held by Luke Elsworth, who passed aged 19.
He had to move to Greece for the intensive £85,000 flight school course and is now looking for a job - and hopes to one day fly for British Airways.
Seth said: "Flying has always been my dream. There was nothing else that I had ever wanted to do, and there is nothing I would contemplate doing.
"You don't have a single epiphany where you realise that you want to be something or do something, it comes from experience.
"My mum was an avid traveller when she was younger, and when I was a boy she'd take us on holidays to see the world.
"I loved everything about flying - even the fact that a 300-tonne tube of metal can basically be shot up into the air and fly for up to 12 hours.
"As I grew up, my love became a passion, and I'm so grateful that the experience of training didn't discourage me, like training can.
"If anything, I knew there and then this would be what I did for my whole life. To be honest, I took very naturally to flying - there's no feeling like it.
"When you are flying manually, you are in charge. It's a big responsibility, but it's exhilarating, and that means flying's an honour.
"And I’ve always felt safer flying in a plane, or flying one, than travelling on a bus or driving a car - though I do have a driver's licence!
"People have to chase their dreams, and I’ve been so lucky, being able to make my dream my career because of my mum.
"None of this would have been possible without her - I love her to pieces!"
Seth left school in Zimbabwe after his GCSEs and attended Egnatia Aviation Training College after passing gruelling entrance exams in January 2018, aged 16.
In April 2018, having turned 17 on March 4, he then began 18 months' training at the prestigious Mediterranean flight academy.
Though he could have trained in the UK, Seth said he chose to learn in Greece so he could break the world record - and "because the weather was better".
Image by: Seth Van Beek
Image by: Seth Van Beek
Image by: Jon Mills
Image by: Seth Van Beek
One of 14 students, Seth sat 14 exams, alternating between learning theory and practical flying at Kavala International Airport every three months.
He took to the skies up five times-a-week during his practical stints, initially for just 60 minutes, but eventually flying for five hours over Greece.
Seth also completed three theory-based courses - the ATP Integration Course, Jet Orientation, and Multi Crew Cooperation
His total theory study time totalled 828 hours, often revising late into the night.
Seth's average exam score was 90.6% and he graduated in September at the top of his class, getting his licence from the European Aviation Safety Agency a month later.
He said: "Everything just made sense to me. I became known around the school for being a hard worker and people asking for advice.
"They were asking me - 'how would I prepare for this or that?'.
"But I would study extra outside of class, just to make sure that I had perfected my knowledge - I had top marks in sight.
"During exam season, I'd finish class at 9pm, and then work until around 4 or 5am the next day, right through."
Seth said he was inspired by his mother Frances, who had "always supported my dreams and told me that I could make it if I worked hard".
Frances, who also has a 14-year-old daughter, sold their home in Milton Keynes and downsized to a flat, to free up £85,000 for Seth's course, plus accommodation fees.
He added: "She made huge sacrifices for me, and I couldn't let her down. I had to achieve, and to succeed.
"I wanted to be top of my class, so that I could show her that it was worth everything.
"The hours of study, the stress - and her decision to sell the house so that she could set money aside to one day finance my training. And she's well and truly proud!"
Finance manager Frances, originally from Zimbabwe, said: "When I start to think about everything, I get so overwhelmed.
"I didn’t have a proper education, so I have always pushed Seth to make sure that he accomplishes what he really wants.
"For years I have told him that as long as he has faith and believes in himself, he will be able to achieve anything he sets his mind to.
"To think he's the youngest licensed commercial pilot in the UK - it blows me away."
Egnatia Aviation Training College said that of 1,500 former students to graduate with the Greek school since 2006, Seth was the youngest.
And the Civil Aviation Authority said the youngest qualified pilots from 2018 were two 21-year-old males - three years Seth's senior.
A letter of recommendation from instructor Captain Dionysios Kouris described Seth's manual flight skills as "smooth and effective".
The director of training at Egnatia Aviation Training College, said: "Exemplary student would be the characterization that best describes Seth Van Beek.
"His pre-entry assessment results led us to believe that Seth not only had great potentials but allowed us to have high expectations from him, too.
"And he certainly proved us right!
"Seth demonstrated all the qualities of character a successful airline pilot should possess: discipline, punctuality, commitment, will to evolve constantly, kindness, team spirit combined with leadership skills.
"These aspects of character combined with the advanced professional airline training he received by our Academy created a cadet who graduated among the top of his class and without delays.
"Graduates like Seth are certain to have a prosperous career ahead and make us proud of having been Egnatia Aviation students in the past."
Video by: Seth Van Beek
An 11-year-old schoolboy needed emergency surgery when he broke both his legs after jumping over a puddle into a road – only to be hit by an oncoming car
Image by: John Kent
A schoolboy needed emergency surgery when he broke both his legs after jumping over a puddle into a road – only to be hit by an oncoming car.
Max Kent was airlifted to hospital and rushed into theatre after breaking both his thigh bones in the horror accident as he got off a school bus just metres from his house.
The 11-year-old talented footballer and street dancer was getting off the bus with his sister Francesca, 14, when he noticed a pool of water in the road.
He leapt over the puddle to cross the road as the bus pulled away, but jumped into the path of an oncoming car that he did not see, causing the double bone break.
Max was whisked to hospital by helicopter, where surgeons carried out an emergency operation to insert metal plates in one leg and a pin in the other.
Despite the accident taking place near York, medics decided he needed specialist surgery that could only be carried out at Leeds General Infirmary's trauma centre.
He spent ten days in hospital before being allowed home in a wheelchair to continue his recovery.
A police investigation found that nobody was to blame for the accident as neither Max nor the car driver could see each other due to the bus.
Max's dad John Kent, 54, relived the horror of the phone call he received from his wife Karen telling him of the incident, which happened on October 24.
Mr Kent, of York, North Yorks., said: "Francesca called my wife who went to out to see Max on the floor.
“My wife called me at work and said I needed to get home immediately. I didn't know what I was going to see when I got there.
"All sorts go through your mind as a parent when you hear your son has been hit by a car.
“By the time I got there, the doctor was already on the scene and had called the Yorkshire Air Ambulance because of the severity of the injuries.
Image by: John Kent
Image by: John Kent
Image by: John Kent
“The paramedics treating Max covered him up with blankets. I could just see his legs.
“York was the nearest hospital, but Leeds was the best place for him to go.
“His life wasn't in danger, but in terms of what they were able to do, the air ambulance was critical to getting him the right care in the right place quickly.
“What we don't know is what could have happened if the air ambulance didn't take him to Leeds.
“We didn't know if there were any internal injuries or how badly broken his legs were.
“Both his thighs were broken and they needed to operate quickly. A plate was inserted in the left leg to restructure the bone and a pin down the other."
Keen footballer Max has been unable to play the sport he loves as he recovers from his injuries and has also been unable to take the family dog Pawthos for a walk near their house.
But he managed to take part in the family's traditional ice skating trip on Boxing Day and is hopeful that he can take the stage in an upcoming pantomime his dad has organised as part of his association with amateur dramatic club the Deadpan Players.
Half of the proceeds will be given to the Yorkshire Air Ambulance, which relies on charitable donations to fulfill more than 1,800 missions every year with two state-of-the-art Airbus H145 helicopters.
John added: "It has had a huge impact on his life. He's a very active and mobile young lad usually.
“Football is his great love, but he can't do that for a while as he is stuck in a wheelchair.
"He is unable to take our dog Pawthos for a walk across the fields where we live as the fields are linked and surrounded by muddy farm tracks which are unpassable in the wheelchair.
"His recovery is going steady.
“We managed to go ice skating on Boxing Day as a family and the Winter Wonderland were extremely accommodating allowing Max to enjoy the session in his chair.
“We are hoping he will be up and about by spring or summer time."
Bizarre footage shows a collection of kitties that appear to have HUMAN faces
Image by: Tatiana Rastorguev
This bizarre footage shows a collection of cats that appear to have - HUMAN faces.
The unsettling yet still incredibly adorable kittens are the result of painstaking selective breeding.
Tatyana Rastorgueva, a 44-year-old felinologist and animal lover, has been breeding cats since 2002.
The unusual Maine Coons are the result of breeding father cat Vatican and mother cat Lucien.
All of the kittens in her care have a recognisable ‘face’ and piercing eyes.
Tantyana manages the Instagram account @catsvill_county and regularly takes videos of the unique cats to share with her eighty-thousand followers as well as the rest of the Internet.
Image by: Tatiana Rastorguev
Image by: Tatiana Rastorguev
Image by: Tatiana Rastorguev
Image by: Tatiana Rastorguev
Tatyana from Moscow, Russia said: “I really love animals, cats have always been a part of my life.
''But I began to professionally breed cats in 2002, I have been working directly with Maine Coons since 2004. I like what I do, I can say that cats are my calling.
“Each breeder has his own vision of the breed and selects individuals for further selection according to those traits that are important to him.
''I can say that while working with the breed, I focused on the type of Maine Coon that I like, that's why I now have a recognizable ‘face’ type of kittens in my nursery.
''This is just a long painstaking work of the breeder.I love all animals, especially cats. Maine Coons captured my heart completely.''
Video by: Gabriella Petty
Pregnant mum suffering from the same extreme morning sickness as Kate Middleton claims she has cured her chronic vomiting by smoking CANNABIS
Image by: Dan Rowlands SWNS
A pregnant mum suffering from the same extreme morning sickness as Kate Middleton claims she has cured her chronic vomiting by - smoking CANNABIS.
Sammy Warnes, 30, said her hyperemesis gravidarum was so bad when she was ten weeks pregnant with daughter Arabella, now three, she considered an abortion.
Strong medication from her doctor didn't work, so she turned to cannabis, having a puff or two on a joint, until the symptoms disappeared at 25 weeks.
She said her daughter was born fit and healthy, so when she experienced the same symptoms with her current pregnancy, she once again ignored expert advice.
Now 15-weeks pregnant with her second child, Sammy said she she has had no choice but to resort to smoking cannabis a few times a week to alleviate her symptoms.
She spends £10 every three weeks, and gets her supply from the internet.
Former catering worker Sammy said she got the idea after she came across an online forum about severe morning sickness which included messages from other mums-to-be using the Class B drug.
Sammy, from Leeds, said: "The thing is the prescription drugs do more damage.
"There's risk of birth defects so they're quite scary to be fair.
"One of them was making my body do random movements. That stuff panics me.
"It's actually saved both me and my baby's life.
"This time round has been ten times worse.
"I've had to give my job up because I just couldn't do anything.
"With just two puffs I'm able to be a parent to my daughter.
"I only do it a few times a week.
"I can do normal things like go to the shops, take her to nursery and just be a mum.
"Beforehand I was just being sick or waiting around to be sick.
"I was just knackered.
"People will say 'Oh she just wants to be a druggie' but it's not that at all.
"But I don't get high off it.
"It's a couple of puffs with a minimum bit of baccy.
"There needs to be a conversation about this so other women know there's something out there that can help them.
"Unless you've been through it you don't really get it."
After experimenting with cannabis a couple of times in her teenage years, Sammy decided to use the drug again when she was ten weeks pregnant with her third child in 2015.
Doctors had prescribed her Domperidone - a drug is used to relieve nausea and vomiting - but she claims the symptoms only temporarily disappeared for 20 minutes.
After weeks of sleepless nights and chronic vomiting, she decided to Google any alternative ways to combat her illness.
She discovered several forums suggesting cannabis as a solution, she claims.
She said: "I decided to do my own bit of research.
"It was all getting too much.
"I wanted to see if there were any old-wives tales or 'old fashioned tips' that would help me out.
"Then I found quite a few forums on women using cannabis to stop their morning sickness.
"I was so desperate I thought I'd give it a go.
"I was a bit nervous when I first did it but I was reassured by all the things I read on the forums.
"I think anyone would be at first.
"It was to medicate my body, not to get stoned.
"I'm not abusing it or trying to get blazed.
"Some days I have good days and don't need it.
"Other days I am throwing my guts up and need a couple of puffs.
"I got some a few days later and as soon as I took it the symptoms just went away.
"It wasn't just a case of me feeling sick the whole time. I couldn't do anything at all.
"It was amazing - it helped me get out of bed in the morning.
"It literally worked straight away.
"I just couldn't believe it.
"I didn't tell my midwife as to be honest I didn't want to cause unnecessary stress."
Image by: Dan Rowlands SWNS
Image by: Dan Rowlands SWNS
Image by: Dan Rowlands SWNS
NHS guidelines say using cannabis regularly during pregnancy could affect a baby's brain development and smoking with tobacco increases the risk of the baby being born small or premature.
But Sammy claims her daughter, who arrived in June 2016, weighing a healthy 6lb 2oz, is healthy both mentally and physically", and she stopped taking the drug,
After discovering she was pregnant again in August this year, Sammy was hoping her chronic morning sickness wouldn't make a return.
But she returned to her doctors to complain her hyperemesis gravidarum had returned when she was six weeks pregnant and she was signed off work.
Sammy said: "I was put on the tables again but the same thing happened.
"The sickness would disappear for about 20 minutes but then I'll be back to hugging the toilet all day.
"I've had no choice but to take it.
"It worked so well last time.
"This time the sickness was ten times worse and I was considering having a termination."
Despite the taboo surrounding smoking cannabis, Sammy said she has both the support of her friends and family.
She said: "I smoke it in my back garden in the mornings.
"My family are very anti-drugs and when I told them they initially kicked off.
"But when I told them the full story, they were like 'if it works for you that's fine'.
"My partner is really supportive. He noticed the difference straight away.
"My half-siblings are supportive too. They have family members who use it to treat cerebral palsy and cancer.
"I've never told a midwife because I know I'll get stick."
"Now I can do a food shop, do the house cleaning and take my little girl to nursery," she said.
"When you can't do that and you have that extreme sickness it's just awful.
"The tablets have side effects of birth defects. That is known.
"My little girl is fit and healthy and is getting along fine at nursery.
"I'd rather just take a couple of puffs of weed.
"There are thousands of women doing the same.
"But there isn't a conversation about it because they are scared their midwives will grass them up to social services.
"I want to speak out because there is something out there which can help other women.
"There's chat about cannabis being used as medicine for chronic illnesses.
"I just want to help and tell other women."
As many as eight in every ten women experiencing morning sickness as a side effect of pregnancy with symptoms improving or disappearing around 14 weeks.
But those who experience hyperemesis gravidarum can see symptoms last for half fo their pregnancy.
NHS guidelines advise those who experience severe symptoms to contact their midwife, doctor or hospital to seek treatment.
Sammy and partner Gav, 32, are expected to welcome their first child together in May 2020.
