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 paralyzed from the chest down, had surgery when he was just a day old and has had nearly 200 surgeries since.
Spina bifida describes a condition where the baby’s spine and spinal cord do not develop properly in the womb, causing a gap in the spine.
Unfortunately, that’s not the only ordeal Kaden has had to face as he also suffers from a range of other medical conditions that affect his heart, lungs and kidneys, leaving him in constant need of using a fan.
Just before starting high school in 2014, Kaden was sent for major spinal surgery which caused even more problems.
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Following the operation, which unfortunately did not go without complications, he suffered two broken vertebrae which resulted in a chronic pressure sore.
Worse still, the wound eventually turned into osteomyelitis, a painful bone infection.
Although osteomyelitis can be effectively treated with antibiotics if detected early, the disease has caused permanent damage to Kaden.
Since then, the 20-year-old has been mostly bedridden, which has impacted his daily life.
Unfortunately, the bad news only kept piling up when Kaden’s family learned last month that he was suffering from type 2 respiratory failure, where insufficient carbon dioxide is removed from the body.
This diagnosis, along with his other conditions, means doctors believe there is nothing more they can do for Kaden, who is now receiving support from the Derian House palliative care team.
Kadens’ mother Linsey, 46, told Manchester Evening News: ‘I was taken into a room by a consultant and told I had to start making a wish list as there is no had nothing else to do with his breathing.
“It was absolutely devastating. He turned around and said, ‘Are you just going to let me die?’
“It was heartbreaking and awful. I just want him 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 make some of his wishes come true 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 create 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.
Origin of message: Daily Express