Rhys Williams, 11, was born with recessive dystrophic epidermolysis bullosa, a genetic condition that causes a person’s skin to be fragile and blister incredibly easily. Anything from the subtlest bump or scratch can cause a massive flare-up.
Because of this, Williams is confined to a wheelchair and has to be constantly bandaged. Three times a day, Williams’ parents change his coverings for him, to ensure he doesn’t develop an infection.
In spite of all this, Williams manages to maintain a positive front.
“He’s very caring towards others and always puts his needs last. Rhys is always smiling no matter how much pain he is in,” said his mother, Tanya.
Unfortunately, having a positive mindset isn’t always enough to make a significant change to Williams’ situation. He occasionally has to take morphine to control his pain, and is sometimes even unable to hug his parents because the physical contact might make him blister.
“He puts on a front when around friends and smiles even though deep down he's hurting. He saves it all for when he's home but even then he smiles,” Tanya added.
More recently, in an effort to give Williams more to look forward to in his life, Tanya signed Williams up to participate in powerchair football.
While Williams has benefitted from having this extra activity in his life, he still has to share a chair with another member of the team, so “he is not getting the full benefit,” Tanya fretted.
Right now, a community organization called Biker Family Support is trying to raise money to buy Williams his own special wheelchair to play football whenever he wants.
One of the organization’s representatives said, “When we went to watch Rhys play, after seeing the determination, enthusiasm, passion and out right joy on his face we wished to help. We just want to give Rhys a Christmas to remember and get him well on his way to his own chair.”
You can help contribute to Williams’ Christmas gift here.
