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Reece Bullock, centre, with fundraiser Nii Ribeiro and teacher Simon Balestrini at Haverstock School’s Big Yellow Friday |
Reece reveals liver condition to boost school charity event
‘I don’t let it get in my way’: praise for youngster who has battled against illness
REECE Bullock is a 12-year-old boy who doctors say shouldn’t be here.
Just weeks after he was born, his parents raised concerns about his skin colour. They were told Reece had a rare liver disease, the incurable and hereditary Alpha 1 Anti-Trypsin Deficiency, and was unlikely to survive to see his second birthday.
Cirrhosis, a form of heavy tissue scarring of the liver was then discovered, and he was put on the transplant list. He also has an allergy to nuts.
But Reece, who struggles with the tongue-twisting name of his condition, defied the gloomy prognosis against all the odds.
The Arsenal-mad youngster has overcome cirrhosis and has now been taken off the transplant list.
“The last time the doctors saw me was last year, and my next appointment is not until January, so I’m doing pretty well,” he said on Friday at Haverstock School in Chalk Farm where he is a pupil.
Alpha-1 Anti-Trypsin Deficiency is a genetic condition, and can lead to lung conditions as sufferers move into adulthood.
Reece had protected his right to be treated like any other child and had told virtually no one of his illness until Friday – renamed “Big Yellow Friday” – when he joined in with fundraising activities for the charity that has helped his family, The Children’s Liver Disease Foundation (CLDF). Haverstock School has adopted it as its charity of the year.
“Sometimes it plays up a bit and I feel a bit woozy,” said Reece, who lives in Queen’s Crescent. “The doctors didn’t think I‘d survive. I know a lot of little babies are born and near their birthday they die. They didn’t get through and I did, but I don’t let it get in my way.”
Haverstock head of Year 7 Simon Balestrini said: “The other pupils weren’t aware Reece suffers from the condition because he’s such a happy, positive kid.”
To donate to CLDF, contact Haverstock School on 020 7267 0975. |
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