“I am Jessica, single parent to my beautiful son Reginald McAndrew who is 5 years old. I just want to raise awareness and I guess not feel alone going through this. Here is our story…
Reg is a happy, bubbly and an outgoing little boy who loves outdoors. He is mad on sports; football, wrestling, boxing. You name it he’s done it. He had no problems at all till August summer 2017 age 4. After a busy school holidays playing, running, trampolining etc.. one night he complained his leg hurt. He tried to explain and I just thought he’s tired out or pulled muscle, he needs rest. The following night he was up in excruciating pain not been able to move sleep. At this point I knew something was not right. I took him to the doctors the following day. However the doctor just told me he had pulled muscle and it will repair itself in few days. I made sure he rested as much as I could. The next few days he was still in bad pain, not moving, couldn’t walk. I knew this just wasn’t right, perhaps it was more of a mother’s instinct… I’m a worrier and suffer with anxiety as it is. I googled symptoms and quite honestly scared my self, but the same time I just knew something was not right. Another doctor said growing pains, it was getting ridiculous. After 3 appointments I demanded an x ray as the pain he was suffering was not normal. We went to LGI the next day for an X-Ray. We got a letter the next day to say I needed to go to doctors as soon as possible. My heart sunk, I knew they found something. It was Perthes Disease. I was heartbroken for him. I researched all I could and still trying to get an understanding as there is no cure.
As the months goes on he gets worse limping and struggling to walk, not wanting to do sports. I even had t get rid of his trampoline. A lot of things have changed for him. It has broke my heart seeing him suffer, he has good days running around mad as usual you wouldn’t think anything was wrong, but the bad days he cannot walk. He has to be pushed to school in pram. With funny looks from parents who don’t know, I feel they judge who judge, it’s horrible. He cannot get dressed, need help getting in bed and going to the toilet. We have been late for school due to Reg being in pain, missed days with his appointments he has physio every 2 weeks. This does really help though. We do struggle at home as it hurts, but we do as much as we can. We had a scan recently which has shown it had got worse. I’m hoping physio and as he grows it will get better.
Reg is so brave and does not complain. Yes he has bad days and says it will get better, but it does not let him stop him at school. He’s brilliant and teachers and I am so proud how he handles it at such a young age, especially for a child that doesn’t fully understand about his condition yet. Thank you for reading our story. I really hope it helps someone.”