A little girl who would fall over up to 40 times a day was diagnosed with a rare syndrome – which leaves her feeling “trapped in her body”. Matilda Monerawela, 10, was born with a neurodevelopmental disorder caused by mutations in the CTNNB1 gene – which provides the body with instructions for making a protein for cell development. Matilda Monerawela with dad Cian. The gene therapy – if it works – could help Matilda walk and talk. Matilda Monerawela as a baby.