Washington toddler battles rare genetic condition wasting away his muscles

Kelly Gowland with son Tyler, who suffers from a rare muscle wasting genetic condition

Two-year-old Tyler Storey from, Concord, Washington, was diagnosed with rare genetic condition ‘Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy’- a progressive rare genetic muscle wasting condition, affecting one in 3,500 boys in early childhood - in March this year.

Tyler struggles to walk, feels tired and will eventually need a wheel chair as the condition worsens.

Since his diagnosis, his mum Kelly Gowland, 24, has decided to raise around £1,000 for charity, Action Duchenne, in the hope the charity can find a cure.

“He was diagnosed on March 16 at the Queen Elizabeth in Gateshead where doctors took his blood and we were then sent on to the Life Centre in Newcastle,” Miss Gowland said.

“He finds it hard to walk and climb stairs and can’t run as he falls over a lot.

“It gets worse as he gets older- he will probably need a wheelchair by the time he is eight years old.”

There is currently no cure for the condition but Miss Gowland hopes the money raised will help the charity fund treatments to slow its progress.

“The funds raised for the charity will go towards different trials which will help with treatment in the future,” Miss Gowland added.

The charity event will be held on June 26 at the Top Club, Sulgrave, Washington, from 6.30pm to 9pm featuring a disco, auction, and face painting. Tickets can be bought on the door for £1.50 an adult or 50p per child or by calling 07949360384.