‘MY SON'S TRAPPED INSIDE THE BODY OF AN 80-YEAR-OLD'
New Idea|November 30, 2020
THREE-YEAR-OLD GRAYSON IS AUSTRALIA’S REAL-LIFE BENJAMIN BUTTON DUE TO A RARE DISORDER
‘MY SON'S TRAPPED INSIDE THE BODY OF AN 80-YEAR-OLD'

Watching Bundaberg boy Grayson Little rolling around in the mud, you’d think he was just like any other 3-year-old. But behind his playful, cheeky grin, Grayson is battling a heartbreaking rare illness that affects just one in a million.

Diagnosed at birth with a rare premature-aging disorder known as dyskeratosis congenita (DC), it means Grayson’s cells don’t regenerate and his organs progressively deteriorate, leaving his body like that of an old man.

“His prognosis was so grim that doctors didn’t expect he would make it this far, so every day is a bonus for us,” says his mum Rachel.

And despite the odds stacked against him, Grayson from day one constantly stunned and surprised everyone.

“Doctors didn’t even know if he’d be able to crawl, climb or walk,” Rachel adds. “But he’s achieved all of that and walks with a frame.”

This story is from the November 30, 2020 edition of New Idea.

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This story is from the November 30, 2020 edition of New Idea.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.