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| Ethan Bell |
ETHAN is bright and friendly and loving.
But other children do not always see that.
They see the cysts that blight his face, eye and throat.
He went to play with other small children in a pub but one went look at his face!' and they started laughing at him.
"They were only children but it was heart-breaking, especially because Ethan only wanted to play," said mum, Karen Bell, aged 35, from Well Lane, Penketh, who lives with partner Kevin Connolly, a software consultant.
The couple are trying to raise tens of thousands of pounds for a specialist to operate and change his looks - and his life.
Ethan, aged three, has lymphangioma, a disorder that creates cysts in soft tissue.
They block his throat and he has had to have a tracheotomy to breathe. They also line his jaw and he has them behind and above an eye.
Ethan suffered a heart attack not long after birth and needed a seven-hour operation at Great Ormond Street Hospital to get rid of some of the cysts.
The family need to take a suction machine everywhere Ethan goes in case the tracheotomy gets blocked.
Karen said the NHS will only operate if the cysts bleed, and will remove the tracheotomy in Ethan's teens.
| "He is a little character" | | Karen Bell, Ethan's mum |
|
But she wants the operation soon so that Ethan has the chance to grow up like any other child.
"It hate to say it, but I hope he will look as a normal as possible," said Karen.
"He is a little character. He has a lot of friends at nursery. He is very cute and caring with his little sister Milly and he is a show off - he sings and dances and could talk about dinosaurs for hours.
"But if he goes to the park he gets stared at a lot. I want the operations because of the way people treat him. I think he will end up psychologically damaged before they do anything about it."
The family hope he can see an American specialist who operates and uses lasers to remove the cysts and who flies over to Berlin twice a year. Alder Hey Hospital, Liverpool, has said it will
handle the aftercare.
Ethan's family have set up a community bank account to fund treatment. Operations cost £15,000 but he will need several.
You can send donations to Ethan's Journey, Newsdesk, Warrington Guardian, 138 Bridge Street, Warrington, WA1 2RU. Cheques should be made payable to Ethan's Journey.
Or donate online by clicking here
8:35am Thursday 7th June 2007
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CommentPosted by: David Wheeler, Grappenhall on 10:36pm Sun 10 Jun 07
I was sad to read of Ethan’s condition. I wonder if his parents are aware of the excellent charity Changing Faces - they work with children and adults with any facial disfigurement, giving them advice and teaching strategies to deal with staring and bullying. They also visit schools to give information to teachers and pupils on the particular condition a child has, dispelling any curiosity or fear.
As someone born with cleft lip and palate, I have had the inevitable unpleasant experiences over the years through other people’s ignorance and prejudice. Surgery can make amazing changes, but today’s image-obsessed society can soon make someone with a facial disfigurement feel inferior.
It is possible to live a successful and happy life if you look different to ‘the norm’ - something which I consider crucial, but which the article omitted to mention.
I was sad to read of Ethan’s condition. I wonder if his parents are aware of the excellent charity Changing Faces - they work with children and adults with any facial disfigurement, giving them advice and teaching strategies to deal with staring and bullying. They also visit schools to give information to teachers and pupils on the particular condition a child has, dispelling any curiosity or fear.
As someone born with cleft lip and palate, I have had the inevitable unpleasant experiences over the years through other people’s ignorance and prejudice. Surgery can make amazing changes, but today’s image-obsessed society can soon make someone with a facial disfigurement feel inferior.
It is possible to live a successful and happy life if you look different to ‘the norm’ - something which I consider crucial, but which the article omitted to mention.
Posted by: natalie lodge, warrington on 10:06am Tue 19 Jun 07
i was really touched by ethans story and was wondering if a spondered event could be set up to raise funds for ethan, maybe a sponsered walk or bike ride... any ideas please email me
i was really touched by ethans story and was wondering if a spondered event could be set up to raise funds for ethan, maybe a sponsered walk or bike ride... any ideas please email me
Posted by: Neil Booth, Warrington on 5:00pm Wed 20 Jun 07
[quote][bold]natalie lodge[/bold] wrote:
i was really touched by ethans story and was wondering if a spondered event could be set up to raise funds for ethan, maybe a sponsered walk or bike ride... any ideas please email me[/quote] Myself and a friend are doing a sponsered bike ride from Hornsea to Southport Via the trans pennine trail in aid of Ethan. I will post more details shortly for anyone wishing to sponsor us.
natalie lodge wrote:
i was really touched by ethans story and was wondering if a spondered event could be set up to raise funds for ethan, maybe a sponsered walk or bike ride... any ideas please email me
Myself and a friend are doing a sponsered bike ride from Hornsea to Southport Via the trans pennine trail in aid of Ethan. I will post more details shortly for anyone wishing to sponsor us.
Posted by: Karen Edgar, Penketh on 7:38am Thu 21 Jun 07
I'm dong the 'Limey Way Challenge' on Friday 29th June which is a '40 mile walk' to be completed within 24 hours!!!! The walk starts at Castleton and Ends in Thorpe - anyone wishing to sponsor me and help me to raise funds for Ethan's operation - then please email me your name, contact details and amount you wish to sponsor me for or txt me on
07706 909157
Thank you
Karen
I'm dong the 'Limey Way Challenge' on Friday 29th June which is a '40 mile walk' to be completed within 24 hours!!!! The walk starts at Castleton and Ends in Thorpe - anyone wishing to sponsor me and help me to raise funds for Ethan's operation - then please email me your name, contact details and amount you wish to sponsor me for or txt me on
07706 909157
Thank you
Karen
Posted by: Wendy (Justine's aunty), Liverpool on 9:13pm Thu 21 Jun 07
He's a gorgeous little boy and I would be happy to take a sponsor form into work and pass round my friends to help in any way we can. Good luck with your Limey Way Challenge Karen x
He's a gorgeous little boy and I would be happy to take a sponsor form into work and pass round my friends to help in any way we can. Good luck with your Limey Way Challenge Karen x
Posted by: graham and nadine davies, stretton on 1:51pm Sun 24 Jun 07
Our 5 year old boy Morgan is planning a sposored bike ride of 5-miles to raise money for ethan. He is looking forward to it and we will raise money from family and friends. I think it is a good way to educate children in ways to help others and is an ideal way to keep your kids healthy.
Our 5 year old boy Morgan is planning a sposored bike ride of 5-miles to raise money for ethan. He is looking forward to it and we will raise money from family and friends. I think it is a good way to educate children in ways to help others and is an ideal way to keep your kids healthy.
Posted by: Neil Booth, Warrington on 8:56am Tue 26 Jun 07
[quote][bold]Neil Booth[/bold] wrote:
[quote][bold]natalie lodge[/bold] wrote: i was really touched by ethans story and was wondering if a spondered event could be set up to raise funds for ethan, maybe a sponsered walk or bike ride... any ideas please email me[/quote] Myself and a friend are doing a sponsered bike ride from Hornsea to Southport Via the trans pennine trail in aid of Ethan. I will post more details shortly for anyone wishing to sponsor us.[/quote] we can be sponsored at
www.sponsorformsonli
ne.co.uk/ethanTPT.as
p
Neil Booth wrote:
natalie lodge wrote: i was really touched by ethans story and was wondering if a spondered event could be set up to raise funds for ethan, maybe a sponsered walk or bike ride... any ideas please email me
Myself and a friend are doing a sponsered bike ride from Hornsea to Southport Via the trans pennine trail in aid of Ethan. I will post more details shortly for anyone wishing to sponsor us.
we can be sponsored at
www.sponsorformsonli
ne.co.uk/ethanTPT.as
p
Posted by: Karen Edgar, WARRINGTON on 9:54pm Wed 27 Jun 07
"WENDY" (Justine's Auntie) please ring me on the tel no. above and then I can make arrangements to sort you out with a sponsor form.
Karen
"WENDY" (Justine's Auntie) please ring me on the tel no. above and then I can make arrangements to sort you out with a sponsor form.
Karen
Posted by: Karen - Ethan's Mum, Penketh on 4:34pm Fri 29 Jun 07
Big thank you to everyone for their support.
I am very impressed Morgan, that's a long way for a 5 year old. Good luck x.
If there is anyone currently fundraising or are planning an event could you contact us via the Ethans Journey website (www.ethansjourney.c
o.uk) or speak to Steven Bailey on 01925 434111
Thanks so much
Karen, Kev, Ethan & Tilly.
xx
Big thank you to everyone for their support.
I am very impressed Morgan, that's a long way for a 5 year old. Good luck x.
If there is anyone currently fundraising or are planning an event could you contact us via the Ethans Journey website (www.ethansjourney.c
o.uk) or speak to Steven Bailey on 01925 434111
Thanks so much
Karen, Kev, Ethan & Tilly.
xx
Posted by: Patricia Clarke, Warrington Collegiate on 1:37pm Mon 16 Jul 07
As you may have read in the Guardian the beauty department at the Collegiate are hosting a pamper evening on Tuesday 24th of July 6-9pm all the proceeds are going to Ethan please book for appointments
Tel: 01925 493436
As you may have read in the Guardian the beauty department at the Collegiate are hosting a pamper evening on Tuesday 24th of July 6-9pm all the proceeds are going to Ethan please book for appointments
Tel: 01925 493436
Posted by: Paula Giannasi, Anfield on 10:14am Tue 17 Jul 07
The staff and the students at the North Liverpool Academy are arranging fundraising events for Ethan. He has touched the lives of everyone at the school and everyone is working hard to raise as much money as we can. Paula Giannasi and Lian Tsang.
The staff and the students at the North Liverpool Academy are arranging fundraising events for Ethan. He has touched the lives of everyone at the school and everyone is working hard to raise as much money as we can. Paula Giannasi and Lian Tsang.
Posted by: buttercup, blackburn on 10:11am Thu 19 Jul 07
Just to say this is fabulous for your family, I'm a newsquest employee and work at our Blackburn office and I've just read about your story on the Newspaper Society weekly info sheet. I'm so proud to belong to a company who can help make such a difference to your family, you are very lucky and may I wish you every success in further fund raising. GOod luck and well done to everyone helping! Impressive.
Just to say this is fabulous for your family, I'm a newsquest employee and work at our Blackburn office and I've just read about your story on the Newspaper Society weekly info sheet. I'm so proud to belong to a company who can help make such a difference to your family, you are very lucky and may I wish you every success in further fund raising. GOod luck and well done to everyone helping! Impressive.
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