Rhea, a 19 year old from Croydon, is supported by our Children’s Complex Care team and receives 2:1 care every hour of the day to manage her complex health needs such as cerebral palsy, global development delay, scoliosis and severe epilepsy.

She is also blind, non-verbal and has mobility issues. These needs are a result of a genetic disorder that caused an under-developed brain.

Despite her life-limiting needs, Rhea has refused to be defined by her disabilities, and instead, uses them to inspire people by making the most of every single moment.

As part of this, Rhea and her mum Purabi, have been working their way through an ambitious bucket list, with a little help from their healthcare assistants at Children’s Complex Care.

And while COVID-19 put some things on hold, Rhea has managed to tick off some huge achievements including meeting Prince Harry and pursuing a new business venture!

Perfectly Imperfect Prints is born!

During the pandemic, Rhea became extremely poorly and was given months to live. But every time it looked like she might not make it, resilient Rhea always did.

But her poor health was getting her down, and she needed something to focus on. One day while doing arts and crafts with her mum and healthcare assistants, a lightbulb moment happened. Creating things for people makes Rhea happy, so why not create a greetings card business and share that happiness with others. Shortly after, Perfectly Imperfect Prints was born!

The Children’s Complex Care healthcare assistants sometimes help Purabi and Rhea with design ideas, but each card is lovingly made by the mother and daughter duo. In fact, it’s become a huge bonding experience for the pair, who craft each masterpiece together, using Rhea’s fingerprints, handprints and footprints. They’re perfectly imperfect – just like Rhea.

So far, the business venture has taught Rhea life lessons such as earning, saving money and budgeting, just like other young people her age. Plus, for each card she sells, she donates 10% to her favourite charity, Strongbones, so she can help other people too! 

Perfectly Imperfect Prints hits new heights!

Perfectly Imperfect Prints has been a roaring success so far! Stars such as Prince Harry, Ed Sheeran, Amanda Holden and many other celebrities have Rhea’s cards displayed in their houses, and the business has been featured in many magazines, pluimmeting Rhea to local stardom.

The support she’s received has even grabbed the attention of online greetings card giant, Moonpig! After seeing the cards Rhea creates and learning of her story, they reached out to Rhea and offered her an artist slot. Nearly a year on since she signed the deal, she’s got her own collection of greeting cards on the platform, and has just launched her second Christmas card drop.

The future looks bright for Perfectly Imperfect Prints and we are delighted to have played a small part in helping Rhea to realise her dreams. There’s still time to support Rhea this Christmas! Head over to her Facebook page to get your Perfectly Imperfect cards in time for Christmas!

• 
• children's services
• children's complex care
• Christmas 2022