Mother's hope for liver donor to aid son
A mother whose son has been waiting for a liver transplant for 14 months says there is no end to his wait in sight -– 19 years to the week since he first underwent the procedure.
Claire King said her son Joseph Grigg, 19, takes more than 40 tablets and liquids a day to try and prevent his liver from deteriorating further while he waits for the life changing call to say a donor has been found.
Joseph was born with a rare genetic liver disease called Alpha-1-Antitrypsin Deficiency and at three months old his family was told he needed a liver transplant.
Mrs King said: "When Joseph was born I had no idea that there was anything wrong, until I took him to his six-week check up, when we were told that he had a very rare genetic liver disease called Alpha-1-Antitrypsin Deficiency.
"He became very poorly very quickly and at only three months old we were given the devastating news that Joseph would have to have a liver transplant to save his life and he was put on the organ transplant register.
"He was extremely lucky that a matching liver became available at the eleventh hour, as he was almost too weak to receive the donated organ.
"After a few months recovery Joseph was like a completely different baby and had an almost normal and active childhood, until just after his 18th birthday in November 2011.
"That month he was admitted to Birmingham Children's Hospital's liver unit and we were told that Joseph's liver was failing and that he will need another transplant."
Mrs King, who lives in Berriew, near Welshpool, says that since then Joseph's quality of life has deteriorated. To register as a donor visit www.organdonation.nhs.uk
