Cpl ‘Damo’ Heartford is a RAF Police Dog Handler based in Wiltshire, he and his and wife; Stacey, were blessed on the 25th of January 2007 with the arrival of baby ‘Brida’, this beautiful child weighed in at a delicate 6lb 9oz.
Immediately Doctors diagnosed Brida as having the rare genetic condition Epidermolysis Bullosa (EB), in which the skin and internal body linings blister at the slightest knock or rub, causing painful, open wounds. This condition is likely to affect 1 in 17,000 live births and it is estimated that there are currently 5,000 people with the condition in the UK. Because EB is an inherited condition (it cannot be caught), which is passed on genetically from parents to children, first time parents often do not know that they are carriers and will have no prior warning that the child will be affected, until birth.
There are varying degrees of EB the more severe types have an exceptionally high risk of developing skin cancers, shortening their lives by approximately 30-40 years. In its most severe form, the condition is fatal in infancy.
Brida has the most sever type and the Doctors have indicated that the prognosis for this beautiful and delicate child is extremely poor.
Assistance and professional care for sufferers and family is provided by the Dystrophic Epidermolysis Bullosa Research Association ‘DebRA’ this worthy charity will give Brida and her parents some measure of comfort during her remaining time.
Please give all you can, if you are affiliated with the Armed Forces then use this as the ‘family’ network which I have always imagined it to be. We are looking after one of our own.
Our thoughts and prayers are with Damo, Stacey and Baby Brida. .
