Boy With Severe Disease Will Not Give Up On Life

Oct 25, 2019 by apost team

Seeing a child with a serious disease is one of the most difficult sights imaginable for most people. Tragically, illness has been an everyday part of the life of Rhys Williams of Bolton in the United Kingdom. Rhys was born with a condition called epidermolysis bullosa, which causes severe blisters on the skin.

The condition even resulted in Rhys’s fingers fusing together. Confined to a wheelchair, the 13-year-old boy must wear bandages all over his body to minimize the damage caused to his skin. Those who suffer from epidermolysis bullosa are known as “butterflies” in the medical community as it is rare for patients to live into their adult years.

Recently, Rhys’s condition has severely beaten him down. Unable to play sports or even get a hug, Rhys has been suffering from severe depression. Speaking with reporters from the Daily Record, Tanya Williams, Rhys’s mother, said that he told her recently that he has given up on life and wants a butterfly to take him away.

To cheer up Rhys, Tanya came up with a wonderful idea to celebrate his 14th birthday, which was on September 21. Tanya asked those who follow her family on social media to send Rhys birthday cards to show how special he is to the world. The response has thus far been amazing.

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Tanya’s friends and those concerned about Rhys’s wellbeing flooded the family’s home with over 10,000 birthday cards. The number of letters that come each day forced the post office to designate a special van just for Rhys’s cards. Many well wishers even sent Rhys presents for his special day.

Taking to Facebook, Tanya thanked everyone for their generosity, particularly praising a Los Angeles, California resident who sent Rhys a video game and gaming headphones. Tanya also told her followers of a special call she got from Peter Moore, a player with the Liverpool Football Club, Rhys’s favorite team. Peter secured special box seats for the whole family, much to the Rhys’s joy.

While there is no cure for Rhys’s condition, the teenage boy is now happy in the knowledge that so many people care for his wellbeing. New photos posted by Tanya to Facebook show Rhys happily enjoying the birthday gifts he received with his family.

What do you think of Rhys’s story? Is there anything that you do to cheer up your friends and family when they are feeling depressed?