Schoolboy, 6, given one year to live after teacher noticed change in his eye

16 January 2023 , 17:11

626     0

Jayden Lamerton, 6, was diagnosed with a rare form of brain tumour

The devastated parents of a six-year-old boy given just 12 months to live have shared the symptom that first revealed something wasn't right.

Jayden Lamerton, from Plymouth, had seemed totally fine until December 21 last year when his mum Chelsea got a call from his school to say a teacher had noticed the youngster's left eye had "turned inwards".

She took him to hospital and doctors first checked his eyesight, which was found to be fine. Jayden was then booked in for an MRI scan.

Earlier this month the family got the heartbreaking news that Jayden had Diffuse Intrinsic Pontine Glioma - a rare type of brain tumour - and only had around twelve months left to live.

A teacher noticed Jayden's left eye had turned inwards

Jayden's dad Jamie said it is "every parent's worst nightmare."

Warning as popular food and drink ‘increase risk of cancer death by up to 30%’

He told the Liverpool Echo: "He was fine and there was nothing wrong with him, then we found out. Bristol Hospital said they have not had a case of DIPG in two years and now my son has it.

"My heart has just been stamped all over and we are all struggling. He has siblings, who he will not get to see anymore and he is best mates with his younger brother who is five. It's hard to digest that he might not reach his next birthday."

DIPG originates in an area of the brainstem, called the pons. The pons is an area deep within the lower part of the brain that is responsible for a number of critical bodily functions, such as breathing, sleeping, and blood pressure.

Jayden lives in Plymouth with his mum and step-dad Daniel and the family said they are now trying to make as many "special memories" as they can.

Jamie, 31, said Jayden will receive radiotherapy to "give him as much time as possible".

Jayden's family plan to create lots of special memories in the coming months

He added: "He is such a happy, caring, and loving little kid who will help anyone out. Jayden is so gentle and amazing, you could not ask for a better son. Now we just want him to have the best time possible and that is what we are going to do.

"No family should experience this, there is so much we need and want to do in our short time left. We want to make his dreams come true."

Jayden is "football mad" and supports Liverpool, his family are taking him to Liverpool FC's next home game against Chelsea, and are hoping to meet some of the players.

The family are raising money to help cover travel and accommodation while Jayden is being treated and to put towards creating special memories. For more information visit Jayden's GoFundMe page here.

James McNeill