At just 20 years old, Kaden Gresty has endured almost 200 surgeries throughout his life and has now been given a devastating diagnosis.
The young man first went under the knife when he was just one-day-old and has been in and out of hospital ever since.
He was born with spina bifida, a spinal condition that means he is paralysed from the chest down. He also suffers from a range of other medical conditions that affect his heart, lungs and kidneys and he relies on a ventilator.
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As the Manchester Evening News reports, in 2014, just before he started secondary school, Kaden was sent for major spinal surgery in Bristol where there were complications from the operation. Kaden, from Salford, suffered two broken vertebras which led to a chronic pressure sore.
Over time, the sore eventually turned into osteomyelitis, a painful bone infection that can often be treated with antibiotics. However, the infection didn't clear up for Kaden and he was left with permanent damage.
Since then, the young man has been bedbound ever since. His mum Linsey says the ordeal has impacted his daily life.
Things tragically took a turn for the worse in May 2023 when the family learned that Kaden has type 2 respiratory failure, where carbon dioxide is not removed sufficiently from the body.
Sadly, alongside his other medical conditions, doctors believe there is nothing more they can do for Kaden and he is continuing to receive support from the palliative care team at Derian house.
Mum Linsey, 46, said: “I was taken into a room by a consultant and told that I need to start doing a wish list because there’s nothing else they can do with his breathing.
“It was absolutely devastating. He turned around and said, ‘You’re just going to let me die?’
“It was heartbreaking and horrible. I just want him to be here; he just doesn’t deserve it. He’s still smiling every day.”
Mum-of-four Linsey and Kaden’s siblings are now hoping to create a bucket list so Kaden can fulfil some of his wishes during the time he has left.
Ahead of his 21st birthday in July, the family hope to raise as much money as possible so they can make many special memories, including holding a sky dive to boost funds.
Kaden’s wishes include watching Manchester United train at Carrington, visiting Scotland for a weekend, and being a zookeeper for a day.
Sadly, Kaden also wanted to go to Cornwall but his health complications mean it would not be possible for him to make the long journey.
“Kaden and his family are all devastated by this news,” the fundraiser reads. “And Kaden has started to make a wish list.
“The family have made the decision to try and raise money to help fulfil some of Kaden's wishes. Kaden will be 21 this year and the family would love to make as many special memories together in order to celebrate this milestone in Kaden's life (albeit tinged with sadness too).”
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