DESPERATE parents who can’t give their son a cuddle as he’s in so much pain are calling on Silhillians to help fund life-changing treatment for him.
Joshua Cleaver was diagnosed with complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS) after falling over during lunchtime at school four years ago.
Since then his mum, Lisa, has been “unable to give him a cuddle” or even stroke his hand following the fall due to the pain he’s in.
The 14-year-old has been in so much pain he hasn’t been able to get to school since November 2022 and does all his schoolwork through online learning.
To leave the house Joshua has to use a wheelchair and often rely on his parents to help him move around the house.
Writing on his Just Giving Page Joshua said: “The pain is so awful and so isolating, I feel like I am missing out on growing up.
“This last year and a half have been the worst it has ever been, every day my pain is at a 9 to 10 on the pain scale and it doesn’t go down at all.
“Over the last few years, I’ve been on pregabalin, amitriptyline, codeine, naproxen alongside pain relief patches and paracetamol and ibuprofen. At one point I was taking 33 tablets a day and still no relief.”
According to the NHS, CRPS is a poorly understood condition where a person experiences persistent severe and debilitating pain. It added the pain typically affects only one limb, but it can also spread to other parts of the body.
While the condition has no known cure, the family is seeking treatment options at the Spero Clinic in Arkansas, in America.
Lisa said: “We’re not hoping for a little bit of a change we are looking for him to be treated to be able to get on with his life as he should.
“We are desperate to get our child back – he’s missing out on growing up.
“The pain he is in at the moment is in his whole body, we cant touch him at all, we can’t stroke his hand and sometimes he says he wants a hug but I can’t give him one as he’s in so much pain.
“And I haven’t been able to give him one in years – that’s when I know he’s better, when I can give him a cuddle again.”
Friends and family have rallied to raise the £75,000 to cover the cost of treatment, flights and accommodation.
So far £24,000 has been raised.
This has been done thanks to family and friends who have taken on the three peaks and have abseiled the Spinnkaer Tower in Portsmouth in honour of Joshua.
Others, including Music Monsters have done sponsored challenges all to help the teenager.
Lisa said there are a number of fundraising events in the pipeline with a Irish night, a dinner and dance event and a sponsored walk from Bromsgrove to Solihull.
For more or to donate click here.
