Tragic illness that has robbed mother, 33, of chance to smile for sons

Kelly Murray’s confidence was shattered when a rare terminal illness known as langerhan cell histiocytosis caused the bones in her mouth to disintegrate.

Since then, she has been reluctant to pose for pictures or even share a laugh in public with her boys Bradley, 10, and Louis, nine.

As the 33-year-old has been given 12 months to live, her best friends have now launched a fund-raising drive to buy veneers which would give her a much-needed self-esteem boost – and provide her family with lasting memories.

Miss Murray, from New Whittington, Derbyshire, said: “I don’t like smiling now.

“I used to be so confident, but now I never want to pose for pictures with my sons.

“It would give me my confidence back, and I could pose for pictures the boys could look at for years to come, even after I’m gone.”

Miss Murray has battled the cancer-like condition, thought to affect one in every one million people, for over a decade.

The disease attacks the organs and causes pain in the bones, spontaneous fractures, loss of teeth and extreme fatigue as well as weakness, seizures and collapsed lungs. It has also led Miss Murray to lose 60 per cent of her leg function.

Miss Murray said: “I find it hard to accept that I won’t see my sons grow up.

“I want to see them grow into young men. I don’t want to miss their first day of secondary school.”