My friend Sasha's son Eiden is a special little man that suffers with complex medical needs including cleft palate, phagiocephaly, ventricular asymmetry, hemimegalencephaly, osteopenia, scoliosis, bilateral radioulnar synostosis, penoscrotal web, agranular neutrophils and platelets, marked hypermetropia, hypotonia, hypermobile joints, developmental delay, gastroeosophagal reflux, gastrostomy fed, viscious secretions and apnea episodes at night. He has no diagnosis, even after numerous genetic tests and has fallen into a group of children called SWAN's (Syndrome without a name).

Eiden is 14mths old and a tiny little man measuring 59cm and 12lb 8oz which is average for an 8 week-old baby. He was born term but was immediately rushed to NICU and placed on a ventilator as he was unable to breathe for himself. This was the start for many struggles for him & his mum.

He is still fed via a tube through his nose with specialist high energy milk 16hrs a day, as until very recently he could not tolerate any food orally. Even now, he is on purees which are suitable for a 4-6mth old.

He is globally developmentally delayed and is unable to sit unassisted or roll over. This is because he is severely hypotonic and hyperflexible

Eiden will need intensive therapy to help him to learn to do the things that we all take for granted and this will mean funding suitable equipment and therapy sessions not available on the NHS.

Here is a link to a video that tells you more about his first year

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Skvd5XnVUR0

and a link to his facebook page

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Fundraising-for-our-special-little-man-Eiden/346344552060601

Sasha is a wonderful mum and has been through a difficult pregnancy, has nearly lost her son several times, and all while bringing up another child and relying on crutches/wheelchair due to a crumbling spine. She is unable to work due to constant pain and can barely stand at times. Despite this, her bravery, resourcefulness and positivity absolutely amaze me. I think she really deserves some help.

We need to raise £5,000 for one year to get Eiden the care he needs - all contributions welcome!

For more pictures & information about Eiden & his mum, please visit http://www.fundraisingforeiden.co.uk/index.htm