Tag: Awareness

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Real Life

My son is the real-life Pinocchio!

 

Ollie Trezise is a happy little boy who loves splashing in his paddling pool and playing with his big sister. But there’s something very special about him…he was born with an encephalocele, which meant that his brain grew through his nose! As a result, when the adorable tot grew, so did his nose – just like the Disney character, Pinocchio.

Proud mum Amy Poole shared her story in this week’s Chat magazine to help parents of other children with visible disfigurements. She’s been at the receiving end of cruel comments from strangers about Ollie’s appearance but says she wouldn’t change him for the world.

If you’ve ever been taunted because of your appearance, organisations like Changing Faces can help.

Categories
Real Life

Boy almost blind after horrific allergic reaction to antibiotic

 

Adorable Declan Bitmead-Ellis, 6, has been left almost blind after a horrific allergic reaction to the commonly-prescribed antibiotic Amoxicillin. Soon after taking the drug, his skin had peeled off and he was fighting for his life in intensive care. Doctors later diagnosed him with toxic epidermal necrolysis (TENS), which has a 30% mortality rate. Now back at school, he’s been left almost blind and has to wear special sunglasses to protect his eyes.

As seen in the Metro, Mail Online, Mirror and Sun.

Categories
Real Life

Susan Copestick: Why I saved the life of my rapist ex-lover

I recently had the privilege of working with Susan Copestick, who bravely saved the life of her own rapist so he would face justice for the attack.

Peter Drummond launched his degrading sexual assault in revenge for Susan ending their 10-year relationship. Thanks to Susan’s courage, Peter was jailed for 10 years in April.

Determined to raise awareness for other victims, she shared her story with Chat magazine and national newspapers, including the Mirror.

This morning, she appeared on BBC Two’s Victoria Derbyshire to encourage other victims to seek justice.

You can watch the full interview here.

 

Categories
Real Life

My son is the real life Pinocchio!

 

When little Ollie Trezise was born, his mum, Amy Poole, was shocked to see a lump the size of a golf ball on his nose. The now 18-month-old was born with a rare birth defect called an encephalocele, which meant his brain was growing through a sac on his nose. As Ollie grew, so did his nose – just like the Disney character, Pinocchio.

His mum spoke out in today’s Sun to raise awareness of the condition. Read the full article here.

Categories
Real Life

Bullies called me ‘Tumour Girl’ but I’m beautiful the way I am

Sophia was born with neurofibromatosis, which caused a large facial tumour to grow. She told Chat why she refuses to let the bullies get her down.

 

In Chat magazine, Sophia opens up about how bullies mercilessly teased her for her facial tumour. The 20-year-old was born with neurofibromatosis, which causes growths. Refusing to let it get her down, she simply told them it was her ‘special cheek’. Now she’s hoping to raise awareness to support others with the condition.