As our Mirror Christmas appeal for Lifelites continues, we meet keen baker Habibah who has defied the odds, diced with death, and makes Bake Off-worthy cakes using just her eyes
As Habibah Bibi judged a competition with Great British Bake Off finalist Josh Smalley, no one would have guessed that just a week earlier she was facing end of life care. With a smile on her face and a wicked sense of humour, she charmed the bakers as she took on the role of Prue Leith, judging gingerbread houses at the CIBC Miracle Day. A keen baker, Habibah uses clever assistive tech from Lifelites to control the whisk to enable her to bake. She uses something called an Eyegaze, which converts eye movement into computer input, enabling her to control software, generate speech, and participate in activities using only her eyes.
The brave teenager has defied the odds. Habibah, who has Merosin Deficient Muscular Dystrophy, a progressive muscle-wasting disease that currently has no cure, wasn’t expected to live past the age of 15 – but this October celebrated her 18th birthday.
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Her mum Salma, 40, said: “She is just a miracle, I’m so proud of everything Habibah has achieved, she never gives up, she just keeps on fighting.”
Last week we launched our 2025 appeal in aid of Lifelites to ‘Unwrap the Magic of Christmas’ for thousands of children to raise vital funds for them to experience the wonder of life-changing technology.
Lifelites currently reach 15,000 children with life-limiting conditions. The charity provides seriously ill and disabled children the chance to play, create and communicate, using the power of assistive and sensory technology.
There are still 85,000 children without access to Lifelites. Mirror readers can help thousands more receive this life-changing technology, enhancing the life of a seriously ill or disabled child and help them make the most of the precious moments they have with their families.
Salma and Habibah from Maidenhead, Berkshire, have spoken to the Mirror in support of the campaign. Salma told how when her daughter was three months old the family started to notice that things were not right.
“A few months later, she wasn’t reaching the same milestones as other children her age. She was diagnosed at nine months-old with her condition. We were told she would be a wheelchair user for the rest of her life and as she got older, she would develop various health issues including respiratory conditions and Scoliosis and she wouldn’t live beyond 15.
“Initially it was a real shock. But Habibah has always been really positive and that has helped us get through her diagnosis and we’ve learnt so much.” Salma said when Habibah was five, she was no longer able to swallow her food correctly and as a result couldn’t eat.
“It’s difficult to see her go through challenging periods but Habibah has never let her health condition hold her back. She’s always achieved as much as she can.
One of her greatest supporters is her father, Imran, 45. “He gave up his career as a scientist to be there to care for her and support her,” says Salma. Habibah was introduced to Lifelites technology as she was supported by Alexander Devine Children’s Hospice in Maidenhead, this is where she found her love of baking. Habibah said: “I was introduced to the Lifelites Switches and iClick system and was able to be in control and bake, which I loved. Baking gives me enjoyment and happiness.”
Her bakes at the hospice caught the eye of Paul Hollywood as he replied to a post on X about Habibah, praising her bakes, which she was super excited about and last year she formed a friendship with 2023 Bake Off finalist, Josh Smalley, as he baked with her at the hospice for a Lifelites project.
Josh said: “Baking with Habibah is always such a joy. Lifelites assistive tech helps her take full control in the kitchen – using Switch technology to power the stand mixer, and the Eyegaze to operate the computer with just her eye movements. We went on to create the most beautiful rainbow cupcakes. Habibah’s creativity and determination are truly inspiring.”
One of the biggest achievements was Habibah reaching adulthood at 18 as it was a moment her family, which also includes siblings Mustafa, 15, and Zunara, 12, never thought they’d see.
But 10 days ago, she was so unwell that doctors were discussing end of life care after she was taken into hospital with a chest infection and medics believed she suffered a heart attack.
Salma said: “For her to go from discussions about end-of-life care as she was very unwell to push through, come out of hospital on Sunday evening and then judging the competition on Wednesday, no one could tell she’d been so unwell.
Rob Lightfoot, CEO of Lifelites, said: “Habibah is an inspiration to us all at Lifelites and a brilliant example of how our technology can enable children and young people to achieve things that would otherwise be impossible. Every setback she’s faced, she’s met head on and used technology to live the best life she possibly can.”
Unwrap the magic of Christmas
Donate today and unwrap the Magic of Christmas for seriously ill children. Donations from Mirror readers will be used to provide seriously ill children access to life-changing technology that will enable them to play, communicate and have fun in ways that would otherwise be impossible.
- Donate online HERE
- Text MIRROR to 70085 to give £10. To donate without receiving further updates, text MIRRORNOINFO. Texts will cost the donation amount plus one standard network rate message, and you’ll be opting into hearing more from Lifelites.
- Donate by post: Send cheques made payable to Lifelites to Lifelites, 60 Great Queen Street, London WC2B 5AZ
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