Fundraiser for life saving stem cell treatment

Written by Ryan’s mum, Suzanne~

My son Ryan, with quiet strength and courage has been living with Crohn’s disease since he was 11 years old. On initial diagnosis he couldn’t eat a thing for 12 weeks just surviving on a liquid diet provided by the hospital. He is now 29 and over the last 3-4 years the inflammation in his bowel and throughout his body has become progressively worse. He is currently in and out of hospital suffering painful procedures and infections from the now ruptured bowel with high risk of sepsis. The extreme exhaustion, weight loss (6ft2 and only weighs 9.5 stone) and arthritic pain means he has lost a lot of mobility in his right arm, hips and neck creating constant pain and an inability to even stand up straight or walk without a limp. As you can imagine all this has had a detrimental effect on his confidence, mental health and motivation to move forward in his life.

However, last year after many years single, he met his amazing girlfriend (the force of love behind this venture) and they have just birthed a baby boy. Ryan’s baby son is giving him the strength of will to want to try some cutting-edge stem cell treatment that has the potential to save his life. It could dramatically change his health giving him a more pain free future, the ability to finally thrive, have fun and more importantly enjoy precious family moments with his son. This beautiful arrival feels so special (there were times I thought Ryan wouldn’t be around to fulfill his desire to be a dad) but what makes it even more precious is that Ryan will be using the stem cells from his sons cord blood and placenta, rendering the treatment even more effective. Hearing this news for this first time moved me to tears. There is something quite beautiful about this little new life also giving his dad the potential of a future.

When Ryan was a little boy I always knew he was born to be a dad. Don’t get me wrong his was a typical little lad – full of energy and boisterous mischief but he also had such a caring gentle nature always intelligent and wise beyond his years. I was a single mum of two boys and although Ryan was the youngest Gareth his disabled brother needed a lot of extra care due to his autism and cerebral palsy, meaning Ryan matured quickly and was always attentive to Gareth’s needs, sometimes to the detriment of his own. Even as young as 3 he wouldn’t go out to play until Gareth was calm and settled surrounded by toys and nice food to eat. Looking back this fills me with both pride and sorrow for Ryans young sense of responsibility.

We lived round the corner from his grandad Johnnie who after many strokes also needed extra care. Ryan from just 7 years old was doing things like running round to his grandad’s house with a plate of food I cooked asking him if he needed any other jobs doing. His grandad was more like a father figure to him and they had a very special relationship till he died when Ryan was 12. When I burnt out and collapsed (myalgic encephalitis and fibromyalgia) when Ryan was about 13 he again took on more responsibility than his young shoulders should have had to bear. He took care of his brother and at times me too till I gradually got back on my feet. For this I will be eternally grateful and amazed by his strength of character.

His ambition growing up was always to be a fireman and although he was doing really well with the written work on his public service college course, his doctor at the time very discouragingly and bluntly said he should stop the course as with his disease its something he would never sign off on. He was gutted, left the course, grieved and after emotionally spiraling downwards he then picked himself up and decided to take a diploma in his next great passion – music. Although Ryan would be reticent to agree he is a very talented and creative guitarist.

Ryan currently lives with his brother, he is his main carer, father figure and mentor in life. I believe after giving so much of himself all his life it is now time for Ryan to receive this potentially life saving treatment. He deserves to know a pain-free existence, finally thriving, having fun and fulfilling his desire to be a family man.. Giving his family the gift of feeling strong, healthy and confident, knowing himself to be the beautiful, caring, courageous man I am so proud to call my son.