Meet Bobby Clifford
Abook about a soccer-mad schoolboy who lives with a distressing skin disease, is helping to raise awareness about the condition among his classmates. Four-year-old Bobby Cli ord from Bantry in Co Cork, was diagnosed with epidermolysis bullosa (EB), also known as Butter y Skin, just months a er his birth. e genetic illness causes extremely painful blisters to erupt at the slightest touch – and, in the worst cases such as Bobby’s, multiple bandage changes are needed every week to prevent infection. Although the Manchester Unitedsupporting youngster faces an exhausting battle against pain every day, he has started pre-school at Coomhola Highscope near Bantry. To help him explain his EB and why he needs to wear bandages, national charity Debra produced a brightly coloured booklet titled ‘Bobby’s Story’, which he has shared with his classmates. His pals have learned that while Bobby is just like every other little boy who loves football, they must be careful at playtime in case he hurts his fragile skin.
Bobby’s mother Grace Cli ord says “ e book has helped Bobby tell his story of life with EB through the eyes of a child. His classmates now know why he wears bandages at school and why he has to be extra careful in the classroom and the yard.
“He gave one to everybody in his class and the parents and children were amazed, some admitting they didn’t know about EB.”
Grace adds “Bobby is a soccer fanatic and needs double bandaging of the whole body when playing to protect his fragile skin, but the smile on his face is worth it.”
Of course, Grace and the rest of Bobby’ family would love a cure to be found. She says the public can help fund medical research by donating via debra.ie.
“Debra have been an extraordinary support to us as a family,” she said. “My hope is that a cure for EB is found. It is the most heartbreaking thing in the world to watch someone you love go through so much and not be able to x it for them.”