A FROME mother has organised a charity fundraiser for Narcolepsy UK after her son was diagnosed with the condition.
Caroline Hadfield’s son Joshua was diagnosed with narcolepsy and cataplexy at just four years of age and the affect it has had on his life has inspired his mother to organise a fundraising event in Frome on Saturday 24th May.
Featuring live music from The Bad Detectives and The Cley Hill Stompers, the event will take place at Frome Football Club and will include and auction and raffle. Doors open at 7.00pm and tickets cost £7.50 in advance or £10 on the door.
Auction lots include; premier enclosure tickets to Wincanton Races, two tickets for the Oval Cricket Ground, round of golf and a meal and a drink and a individual range token for Westbury Golf Club, spa day for two at Bath Spa Hotel, an electric guitar, two tickets for Bristol Rugby Club and many more.
Narcolepsy is a sleep disorder which affects the brain’s ability to regulate the normal sleep-wake cycle. This can lead to symptoms such as disturbed night-time sleep and excessive sleepiness throughout the day. It can cause hallucinations.
Cataplexy is an episode of muscular weakness triggered by strong emotions such as laughter, anger and surprise. The loss of muscle tone ranges from a just-perceptible weakening of the facial muscles through weakness at the knees, to total collapse on the floor.
Caroline said, “Josh was diagnosed with narcolepsy and cataplexy in 2010 following being given the swine flu vaccine. This illness has had a profound effect on both him and our family.
“Josh was an active happy outgoing child before having the vaccine and within three weeks he turned into an introverted, aggressive and unhappy little boy. Josh now has to take a very strong cocktail of various drugs just to be able to get through the day, but still needs one nap in the morning and one in the afternoon and there are many things which he is unable to do which his friends take for granted.
“He tries not to laugh at school for fear of collapsing and hurting himself. Narcolepsy and cataplexy is a very rare illness and extremely rare in children. Although this illness is not in itself life-threatening, it is a life-long illness with severe implications and limitations for those affected, like being unable to drive, depression, the inability to maintain a long-term relationship, educational expectations and employment options are drastically reduced.”
For tickets to the event or to find out more information visit the football club or contact Caroline Hadfield on 07739 842951.