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The National Information Centre for Metabolic Diseases |
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Galaxy Tribute Funds Bradley Sumner-Guest
Our son, Bradley, was born on 5th May 2005. He was a healthy baby, if a little irritable, but fed well and developed OK, although he couldn’t sit unaided, bear any weight, crawl or roll over. He couldn’t eat solid food as it made him gag. When he was eight months old he started vomiting for no reason. A few weeks later Bradley’s breathing became shallow and laboured; he was very sleepy and hadn’t had anything to drink for hours. The doctors were very concerned, Bradley had to endure several blood tests, have a drip placed in his foot, he had a lumbar puncture, a MRI scan and a heart scan. It was clear that something was very wrong with Bradley. Over the next few days Bradley was out of immediate danger and was feeding again when we were told the news. The consultant had all the test results and had confirmed a diagnosis of Leigh Disease. Leigh Disease is terminal. You can’t cure it. Our beautiful little boy was going to die. Nobody could tell us how long he had left. Two months later, the day before his birthday, Bradley became seriously ill again. This time he had a seizure and was taken into intensive care. We had him Christened there on 6th May 2006. Bradley passed away in his sleep on 22nd May 2006, exactly three months since diagnosis. We as a family were lucky enough to be able to spend the last few weeks of Bradley’s life with him at the Acorns Children’s Hospice. They looked after all of us twenty-four hours a day,. We didn’t have to worry about anything except Bradley. Their care doesn’t end when a child dies, we (Mom, Dad and Bradley’s two sisters) were able to stay at the hospice with Bradley until the funeral and they even helped us to make the arrangements. We are opening this Galaxy Tribute Fund in memory of a brave little boy, our son, Bradley. Till we meet again Love from Mommy, Daddy, Becky and Emily x x x x Below, Nigel Eaton, Chair of Climb presents the Star to Clare Sumner and Warren Guest at the Climb 2007 Conference in Dudley.
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