Dad’s plea for help in getting a life-saving op for Joshua
THE dad of a young boy given just a ONE in 56 MILLION chance of being born alive is appealing for help as he watches his son slowly being crushed to death by his own body.
Little Joshua BurnsAdair, five, was born with a rare type of dwarfism called Jeune’s syndrome which only affects his rib cage.
It means that compared to the rest of his body, his ribs are just a fraction of the size, and his larger internal organs are being crushed as a result.
The youngster, who lives in Cheadle Heath and goes to Valley School in Bramhall, has already beat the odds of survival in the womb, with doctors then fearing he would never be able to walk or even sit up.
Dad Mark Adair, 42, says that Joshua has had two operations to break and extend his ribs to help him breathe, and he now has two metal titanium plates each side of his rib cage.
But just months after the five-year-old ended up in hospital fighting for his life due to complications from his condition, doctors at the Royal Manchester Children’s Hospital have told Mark and partner Amanda that there’s nothing more they do.
Refusing to accept this was the end, Mark and Amanda began researching specialist chest hospitals, and have found three hospitals overseas which they hope can help save their little boy.
Mark, a senior technician for Ford, said: “We’ve found hospitals in Philadelphia, Boston, and Montreal, and we are now in contact with doctors there to see if they can help Joshua.”
The journey to the US or Canada could cost the family more than £100,000, and a fundraising page has been set up to help raise money.
So far it has only managed to raise £10,000 – and time is running out.
Mark added: “He has grown into a real little character and it’s devastating to see him trying to thrive while his rib cage refuses to let him.
“We have to try everything we can. We can’t give up.
“He has proved the experts wrong time and time again.
“Having to explain to his big brother Ethan that the doctors are no longer fighting to save Joshua is something no parents should have to do.
“We are running out of time for Joshua. And we need help.”
To donate to Joshua’s fund, visit gofundme. com/joshuaburnsadair.