Hayley: The 96-Year-Old Schoolgirl

Description: HAYLEY Okines is one of the most recognisable faces of progeria, an incredibly rare condition that causes signs of old age in children. Occurring in one in eight million people, the genetic mutation physically ages a sufferer's body eight times faster than normal. Back in 2002, aged four, Hayley's prognosis was bleak. The average lifespan for a progeria child was only 13 years and many passed away much younger. Five years on and she had to come to terms with the loss of her best friend to the illness. Since then, however, Hayley's story has taken a remarkable turn, as scientific progress has been made at almost unprecedented speed for such a rare condition. Following the identification of the gene responsible for the syndrome, researchers in the US have achieved positive results in the laboratory. Using a drug in tests on mice, they found many of the symptoms of ageing were reversed. With the clock ticking loudly in the minds of Hayley, below, and her parents, there was little option but to step forward for human trials of the treatment. Three years ago, Hayley became the first child in the world to take the tablet, known as an FTI. This documentary follows the youngster over a three year period, beginning with her trip from England to Boston to start the medical trials. After initial excitement about the drug's promise, will it really enable her to look forward to a future beyond school?