28 November 2023 , 06:55
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A mum thought her 10-year-old son was just being clumsy before he was given a heartbreaking diagnosis.
Dylan Garrod, from Grimsby, Lincolnshire, kept falling over during the summer holidays and complained to his mum Bethan Gray of agonising pains in his legs. She took him to see a doctor and was eventually told he had duchenne muscular dystrophy. The genetic disorder is characterised by progressive muscle degeneration and weakness.
People with the condition can live into their 30s, but after Dylan suffered a rapid decline, Bethan does not know how long he might have left. Bethan said: "During the summer, he started falling over, but we thought he was just clumsy at first. He wasn't in any pain and there didn't seem to be an issue. However, he started telling me his legs were in agony and we only had three days out during the summer holidays because of it."
Dylan was diagnosed with duchenne muscular dystrophy (Supplied)After a visit to the GP, Dylan was referred to a paediatrician. Blood tests displayed worrying signs, and just seven weeks later his family were given the devastating news. "When we were told we needed to come in and find out the blood results, I knew it was bad. I collapsed on the floor and just started screaming," Bethan told GrimsbyLive.
"When I was called back for another appointment, I walked in and said 'it's duchennes isn't it', and they just nodded. For the first week, everyone was very emotional, the whole thing was just crazy." Family and friends have to stay close to make sure Dylan doesn't fall, while he is having to use a wheelchair more often because he is struggling to walk. For now, however, he is doing everything he can to be his normal self.
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"He is the most positive little boy you have ever met in your life," said Bethan. "He doesn't know exactly what's going on, but he knows he will be in a wheelchair. He told me that it's alright because he'll still be able to game and play basketball in a wheelchair. He such an angel, and when he catches me crying he'll come and give me a hug to cheer me up."
Bethan and the family are looking into the treatments that could help to improve Dylan's life. "He will be on steroids for life now to try and keep any strength he has left. There is also the possibility of gene therapy that could see him live to his forties if it works," Bethan added. With all this in mind, Bethan has started a GoFundMe page to help with travel costs for appointments and to raise money so that Dylan can enjoy life as much as possible. To visit the page click here.