A YOUNGSTER diagnosed with cancer last year is staying in New York while she awaits another round of potentially life-saving treatment.

Flora Gentleman had travelled to the USA with mum Stephanie Kent and dad Jamie Gentleman at the end of August to join a clinical trial.

Flora, who is also autistic, was due to fly back home to Aberlady at the end of last month.

However, Stephanie updated followers on social media that the family had “a really unpleasant and pretty traumatic experience with our flight”.

She said: “Flora was overtired, still recovering from her third vaccine and overstimulated by the aeroplane.

“She had a full-blown autistic meltdown, like nothing we’ve ever experienced before. She rarely has meltdowns and we felt completely out of our comfort zone.

“Her meltdown started as the seatbelt sign came on and we were unable to safely sit her in her seat with her seatbelt on. She became incredibly distressed and inconsolable.

“Just as the plane was about to take off, I had to ask for the flight to stop so we could exit.”

The youngster, who turned four while she was in the States, was diagnosed with stage four neuroblastoma in April last year.

Since then, family, friends and strangers have raised more than £200,000 to fund the trip and to ensure Flora can undergo treatment.

Stephanie was pleased to say that her daughter was now doing better but they had decided to stay in America, with treatment resuming this month.

She said: “We’ve had a couple of slow rainy days in New York and thankfully Flora is feeling much better!

“We’ve also managed to recharge our batteries and recover from Thursday night’s madness!

“Stopping a plane and being escorted off by American police officers is definitely up there with one of our more dramatic moments!

“After our disastrous attempt to fly back home on Thursday night, we started to make plans for rescheduling our flight back to Scotland for sometime this week.

“However, we had booked to fly out for her fourth vaccine in just three weeks’ time.

“As it is so soon, we have decided to stay in New York until her next vaccine to reduce the amount of flights Flora will need to take in such a short space of time.

“We were looking forward to going back home to our comforts and familiarity, but the idea of putting Flora through three flights back and forth between Scotland and New York within a five-week period felt extreme.

“Ultimately, every decision we make is centred around what we feel is in Flora’s best interest.”

The remaining six vaccines are more spread out, with the fifth vaccine not until the end of January.

Stephanie added: “We have a few tips and tricks up our sleeve for future flights and have been offered some great advice and support by several different airlines, which has restored our confidence in flying with Flora in the future.

“We’re settled back into the hotel we spent the last almost five weeks at, and Flora couldn’t be more happy to be here.

“Her face lit up when we pulled up outside in the taxi and she even gave high fives to the concierge team!

“Flora has undergone a lot of change and adjustment these last five weeks and we couldn’t be more proud of how well she has coped.”

To make a donation, go to solving kidscancer.org.uk/Appeal/flora