Kaden Gresty, 20, from Salford, has been in and out of hospitals for most of his life.
Kaden, who was born with spina bifida that left him paralysed from the chest down, was operated on when he was just one day old and has endured almost 200 surgeries since.
Spina bifida describes a condition where baby’s spine and spinal cord don’t develop properly in the womb, causing a gap in the spine.
Unfortunately, this isn’t the only ordeal Kaden had to face as he also suffers from a range of other medical conditions that affect his heart, lungs and kidneys, leaving him in a need of constant ventilator use.
Just before starting secondary school in 2014, Kaden was sent for a major spinal operation that spurred on even more problems.
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Following the surgery that sadly didn’t go without complications, he suffered two broken vertebras which led to a chronic pressure sore.
What’s worse, the sore eventually turned into osteomyelitis, which is a painful bone infection.
While osteomyelitis can be effectively treated with antibiotics if caught early, the condition caused permanent damage for Kaden.
The 20-year-old has been mostly bedbound ever since which has impacted his daily life.
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Sadly, the bad news just kept piling on when Kaden’s family learned last month that he had type 2 respiratory failure, where carbon dioxide is not removed sufficiently from the body.
This diagnosis alongside his other conditions means doctors believe there is nothing more they can do for Kaden, who is now receiving support from the palliative care team at Derian house.
Kadens mum, Linsey, 46, told Manchester Evening News: “I was taken into a room by a consultant and told that I need to start doing a wish list because there’s nothing else they can do with his breathing.
“It was absolutely devastating. He turned around and said, ‘You’re just going to let me die?’.
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“It was heartbreaking and horrible. I just want him to be here; he just doesn’t deserve it. He’s still smiling every day.”
Linsey and Kaden’s siblings are now hoping to create a bucket list so he can fulfil some of his wishes in the time he has left.
Before Kaden turns 21 in July, the family would like to raise as much money as possible so they can make many special memories.
Kaden’s wishes include watching Manchester United train at Carrington, visiting Scotland for a weekend and being a zookeeper for a day.
You can donate to Kaden’s GoFundMe page here.
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