THE mother of a severely disabled teenager who died after contracting chickenpox has paid tribute to her daughter.

Rachael Dodd, 16, from Shildon, County Durham, caught chickenpox earlier this month, and was admitted to Darlington Memorial Hospital last week after it developed into a chest infection and pneumonia.

The wheelchair-bound youngster, who was blind, and suffered from the brain disorder microcephaly, cerebral palsy, and epilepsy, died in hospital on Friday, two days after being admitted.

Her mother, Marian Dodd- Debce, was by her side.

“I cuddled her in tightly and held her hand,” said Mrs Dodd-Debce, 50, who has three other children, and two grandchildren.

“I kissed her on the head and told her it was okay to go because she had put up such a good fight.

“I always hated thinking that she might die alone, so it has helped me a lot knowing that I was with her in the end.”

Foster mother Mrs Dodd- Debce adopted Rachael when she was a baby.

Despite her disabilities, the family took Rachael on many holidays around the world, including one to swim with dolphins in the US.

Mrs Dodd-Debce married her husband, Cagdas Debce, in April, but kept Dodd in her surname for Rachael’s sake.

“She did as much as she possibly could,” said Mrs Dodd- Debce.

“There were so many things wrong with her, but she never stopped smiling, and over the past six months or so she had learnt to giggle.

“I just feel so privileged to have been her mam.” Mrs Dodd-Debce thanked staff at the hospital, and at Butterwick Hospice, in Stockton, for their help and support.

Andrea English, headteacher at The Oaks Secondary School, in Spennymoor, County Durham, where Rachael had been a pupil since it opened in 2005, also paid tribute to the youngster.

“Rachael was a lovely girl, and very popular with pupils and staff,” said Mrs English.

“She will be greatly missed.”

Rachael’s funeral takes place at St John’s Church, in Shildon, at noon tomorrow.

The family has asked mourners to wear bright clothing.