Let's Help Autumn
Donation protected
Autumn has a very rare allergy to UV/sunlight and heat. Exposure causes immediate reddening and blistering of exposed skin and leaves her open to chronic infections and lesions which can take months to heal - some have damaged the skin so badly we've seen underlying tissue, fat and tendons and treatments have involved inpatient hospital care. On steroids for a few months, her adrenal system was damaged, she suffered rapid weight gain and she was urgently admitted to the Royal Free for critical care on several occasions. Since her diagnosis in 2011, she has been forced to withdraw from school (unfortunately due to reduced local authority funding and bullying) and has continued her education at home, in the relative darkness of curtained rooms, becoming nocturnal to avoid the sun. Leaving the house during the day is painful, even shopping or visiting a hospital is difficult due to UV emitting fluorescent lighting (even energy saving bulbs at home emit UVA light) and can cause damage. Autumn, a talented artist, has started selling her art online to help since employment away from home is almost impossible.
Until now, we've coped well on our own. It's been difficult but we haven't claimed benefits and have been proud to support our daughter by working hard and being self employed as mobile developers.
Unfortunately, the past year has been extremely difficult, with clients going bankrupt, failing to pay invoices, even receiving deliveries from us and vanishing without paying.
So, we're asking for your help. Autumn is 18 now and wants to gain independence and have the same opportunities as her peers. Living in the dark has led to depression so we need UV film for windows and doors to provide a safe environment without risk of allergy and associated health issues so she can do something as simple as see the sunlight. UV safe (but expensive) clothing would mean she could go outside when her friends are up and about.
Despite all of this, Autumn continues to put others first - she regularly helps others with mental health issues and victims of bullying online and last year donated her hair to The Little Princess Trust - so I think it's time we work together to help her.
Until now, we've coped well on our own. It's been difficult but we haven't claimed benefits and have been proud to support our daughter by working hard and being self employed as mobile developers.
Unfortunately, the past year has been extremely difficult, with clients going bankrupt, failing to pay invoices, even receiving deliveries from us and vanishing without paying.
So, we're asking for your help. Autumn is 18 now and wants to gain independence and have the same opportunities as her peers. Living in the dark has led to depression so we need UV film for windows and doors to provide a safe environment without risk of allergy and associated health issues so she can do something as simple as see the sunlight. UV safe (but expensive) clothing would mean she could go outside when her friends are up and about.
Despite all of this, Autumn continues to put others first - she regularly helps others with mental health issues and victims of bullying online and last year donated her hair to The Little Princess Trust - so I think it's time we work together to help her.
Organizer
Andy Brick
Organizer
