I first met Maria in 1995 when I joined The Special Needs Team. Maria had set up the team to support the needs of children and young people with additional needs. I soon realised what a wonderful person Maria was and I feel so privileged to have worked with her. Maria was amazing. She was the kindest, most caring person and she was also really good fun and just lovely to be around.  She was strong and passionate, always striving  for the best care and she guided and supported all of us in her team. The first time I met Maria,  she was in a conversation with one of the paediatricians telling him how she felt so strongly that a child with Down’s Syndrome was every bit as entitled to surgery than his more able peers. That was Maria. She would fight for the rights of the children in her care and would not settle for anything but the best. I learnt so much from Maria and she influenced me in so many positive ways.   Maria was loved by us all in her team, the children and their families and just about everyone who came into contact with her.  There really isn’t anyone like Maria and I shall always cherish my memories of the wonderful person that she was. My heartfelt thoughts go to her family at this very sad time. Maria will be so very missed