A brave 11-year-old boy who is battling a rare condition, dubbed ‘suicide disease’ - is once again enjoying being young and out playing with his friends - something he has not been able to do after receiving the devastating diagnosis.
Dillon Wilford, from Sharples, was diagnosed with CRPS (Complex regional pain syndrome), in February 2022, three months after he woke up with a limp, and with agonising pain in his leg in November 2021.
Thanks to family and friends’ amazing fundraising efforts, Dillon was flown to Texas for specialist treatment and where a doctor showed them how to use VECTTOR machine for two weeks.
The machine was brought home to help manage Dillon’s pain, although he will still need to continue with physio.
His sister Maddison Cresswell says that Dillon is doing really well now, and he keeps getting excited that he can do the things he loves again.
She said: “He over does it sometimes which brings a little bit of pain back, but he uses the machine, and it takes it away again, which is amazing that we can do that from home.
“Dillon is going to school most days and does a few full days a week.
“He’s seeing friends again and playing like every 11-year-old should be doing.
“We have been going out as a family and doing the normal things that you take for granted until you can’t do them.”
Maddison says that whilst he has still come a long way, he still has his off days.
But when he is in pain, he is able to go back to the machine and have treatment, meaning he is no long in constant excruciating pain.
And Maddison and the family have organised a charity ball, so that they can raise money for the CRPS charity Burning Nights.
Maddison added: “I think that when Dillon was unwell - even then - we wanted to raise money.
“When we fundraised before it was about Dillon, but it was also important to raise awareness because of our experience and how difficult it was to get a diagnosis, and not knowing what was wrong.
“I think the treatment should be available to everybody not just in the USA, and there still needs to be a lot more funding, awareness and research.”
Maddison hopes that through raising awareness more people will know about Dillon’s condition, which could help others on similar journeys.
Maddison added: “We wouldn’t have been able to do this without everyone’s support and generous donations.”
The ball will take place on September 23 at the Last Drop Village Hotel & Spa from 6.30pm until 12:30 am.
Drinks will be served on arrival, as well as a three-course meal and a range of entertainment.
The fire and ice theme is also in line with the CRPS condition with the type of pain experienced.
Some special guest speakers are also expected to make an appearance, as well as an auction and a raffle being held.
Tickets cost £60 each, with all proceeds going towards their chosen charity.
For those interested in the event email maddiecresswell@live.co.uk.
If you have a story and something you would like to highlight in the community, please email me at jasmine.jackson@newsquest.co.uk or DM me on Twitter @JournoJasmine.
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