My Life

In July 2017 my life changed forever! I was just about to finish my Year 10 at school and start the Summer holidays getting ready for Year 11 and my exams. I had an aortic rupture in my abdomen after jumping on my bed! After having emergency surgery which they didn't think I would survive they were able to repair my aorta but because I had lost so much blood I had renal failure and the muscles had died off in the lower half of my legs. I was in intensive care for 3 weeks but unfortunately while still in the hospital it happened again and I was then transferred to a London hospital as the operation was slightly more complicated as the burst was in the aortic arch. After being in the hospital for some time they discovered I had Vascular Ehlers Danlos with is a life-limiting chronic illness. Ehlers-Danlos syndrome, vascular type, can weaken your heart's largest artery (aorta), as well as the arteries to other regions of your body. A rupture of any of these larger blood vessels can be fatal. The vascular type can also weaken the walls of the large intestines — which also may rupture. I also have overly flexible joints because the connective tissue that holds joints together is loose, your joints can move far past the normal range of motion. Joint pain and dislocations are common.

I have limited movement in my legs and currently use a wheelchair. I would like to raise some funds for my rehabilitation to get some equipment for my recovery, in addition, I would like a ground floor room built for me so I have more access around the house. My parents and family have adapted as much as they can but for me to have my own space would be amazing. I am now currently trying to study for my exams and I am learning to drive but the rehabilitation is hard and extremely painful.

My uncle Roger is going to run the Colchester Half-Marathon in March 2019 for me to raise some funds for myself and the charity. If you could spare a small amount to sponsor him or donate to my fund that would be amazing and I could get my life back on track.

Thank you for taking the time to read this.

Luke