It's truly dolphin magic

The little girl has just returned from a two-week course of swimming with dolphins in Florida, an experience it was hoped would help release her from an otherwise almost silent world.

Caitlin, whose grandparents live in Marlborough, suffers from a form of Angelman's Syndrome called Uniparental Disomy.

Although she is a bright and happy child in every other way, she is unable to speak.

Recently however, shortly before the trip across the Atlantic, she started saying Ma-Ma to the delight of her mother, Selena Wells, who has waited more than seven years to hear her younger daughter's first words.

Swimming with dolphins has had an amazing effect on many people, helping them overcome a variety of afflictions, and already Caitlin has greatly improved confidence.

Her family is hoping this will lead to her gradually breaking the silence that has enveloped her since her birth.

Part of the £6,000 cost of the dolphin therapy was raised by a group of men from the Kennet Valley villages near Marlborough who, after hearing of Caitlin's plight, organised a Full Monty strip show.

Builder Andy Little urged other male drinkers at The Bell at West Overton to take part in the Full Monty night in the Kennet Valley Hall in November 2001 when half a dozen of them bared all.

This week Mr Little said they were all delighted to hear that Caitlin had finally made it to Florida and was showing signs of improvement following the dolphin therapy.

Mr Little said: "It's the best news we have heard for a long time.

"When we heard that Caitlin's family was raising the money to send her to Florida we just lost our hearts to the little girl.

"We all felt we had to do something and the Full Monty seemed like a good idea.

"We all had a great time doing it and it's good to know that Caitlin appears to be responding to the treatment."

Caitlin travelled to the USA with her mother, sister Leah, ten, and grandmother Cathy Flippence from Marlborough.

At the end of their two-week stay near the dolphinarium at Key Largo, they were joined by Caitlin and Leah's stepfather Gary, Mrs Flippence's husband Chris, and her son, Luke, for a week at Orlando including a visit to Disneyworld.

Caitlin, who like sister Leah attends Freshbrook Primary School, in Swindon, took a while to settle in with the dolphins, said her mother.

Mrs Wells said: "Initially she was a bit scared and upset for the first couple of days.

"Part of this was probably due to having spent ten and a half hours in the plane and travelling 4,000 miles. It was a bit much for her."

But Caitlin soon settled down and began to enjoy her daily 40-minute swims with the dolphins.

The director of the dolphin therapy centres, Diane Sanderson, worked with her for most of the course.

Previously the family had had to send full details of Caitlin's condition, her development to date and her ability levels.

Mrs Wells said the therapists and interns set simple tests for Caitlin, and when she gave the right answers she was allowed in the water with the dolphins.

She said: "She didn't get in much for the first couple of days but by the middle of the second week she was in the water more than she was out.

"We were told half way through the second week that ideally we should have booked her in for a third week."

Since returning home last week, said Mrs Wells, they had been able to detect a marked improvement in Caitlin's confidence and self-esteem although, so far, there has been no indication that the treatment has helped her speech.

One of Caitlin's former teachers who had not seen her recently was able to spot a great improvement in the girl's confidence and self-awareness.

Mrs Wells said: "I definitely think she is better in herself, more willing to learn and to listen. I think it has made her more aware of what is going on around her."

The family have put Caitlin's name down for another three weeks at the dolphin therapy centre next year. Her name will go on a waiting list but priority is given to those who have gone there previously.