“Please Help Adam!” Mother Of Boy With Rare Syndrome Launches Fundraising Appeal

Most children spend the first few years of their lives learning to walk and discovering new things. Adam Conlon spent his going in and out of surgery. When he was born back in January 2010, his mother Rebecca knew something was wrong. Her fears were confirmed when a doctor said Adam needed to go to Temple Street Hospital immediately, but that it was likely he wouldn’t make it. There, he underwent emergency surgery on his bowel. It would be the first operation of many. It was discovered that Adam has a very severe case of Mowat Wilson Syndrome, which is a defect in the DNA strand that affects major parts of the body including the heart, brain, bowel and eyes. As a result of his condition, Adam had a twisted bowel and a severe heart defect. He was also completely blind and unable to talk. Adam with his father Joe who passed away shortly after he was born. In December 2010, Rebecca and her family’s lives took another dramatic turn. During a stay in the hospital with Adam, her husband Joe started to suffer from severe headaches. He was immediately sent for an MRI. The results showed a massive brain tumour, which was found to be inoperable and terminal. Joe passed away the following year, a year which saw Adam in and out of the hospital with chest and skin infections. A week before his second birthday, Adam had his first seizure but also started to experience some vision in his left eye. This development was sadly marred by more problems in 2013 which has led to a greater level of care. Adam (4) now requires around-the-clock care and specialist treatments. His movement is limited and he is in a wheelchair, which is why his mum is asking for help to raise funds to make adjustments to their home. Rebecca with her youngest son who requires around the clock care. She wrote: “Adam is one of the most inspirational children you could meet, he may not be able to talk to you but his smile & hugs speak volumes.  He never gives up; you can see the determination in him from fighting through when he gets sick to trying to do simple things like clap his hands. “People look at disabled children like Adam and pity them because of their disabilities but that is not what they should see they should see a boy who has more love to give than anyone I know, who has more strength and fight than most of us, and that fight has got him through 15 surgeries and was something his dad took huge strength from in the last months of his fight for life. “Every second Adam is in my life is a blessing and his love & smiles & determination has kept me going when times have been very hard. Please help Adam!” To read Adam's full story or to donate money to his cause, click here.