Dream holiday hope for heart boy

Aidan Adams is only allowed to eat five grams of fat a day

A community in south Wales is raising money to help send a five-year-old boy with a rare medical condition on a dream trip to Disneyland Paris.

Aidan Adams, from Barry Island, Vale of Glamorgan, was effectively born with "half" a heart because only two of the four chambers developed.

In May he was also diagnosed with plastic bronchitis and has endured around 20 operations in his short life.

Well wishers also want to help fund research into the rare condition.

Aidan's mother Eve said her son was diagnosed with congenital heart disease when he was only nine days old and has spent his entire life going in and out of hospital.

Since developing the unusual plastic bronchitis, Aidan must also deal with "bronchial casts", which develop in the airways, causing obstructions.

He doesn't want to be the centre of attention. He just wants to be normal, happy and get on with things Eve Adams

"It is a life threatening illness," said Ms Adams who has two other children Lewis, 10, and three-year-old Rosie.

"He was in intensive care for a few days and we were in hospital for seven or eight weeks in total.

"It is still very dangerous. Many complications can arise. Aidan's grown up with being in and out of hospital," she added.

"He could not eat anything for the first two-and-a-half years of his life. He did not have the energy to chew, suck or swallow and so he had to have a gastric tube put into his stomach.

Aidan came out of hospital in July and Ms Adams said he is getting stronger each day but "is still not out of the woods yet".

Any infection could be life threatening and the blood thinning drugs he takes means the usual rough and tumble play of a five-year-old is out for Aidan.

But despite this, Ms Adams said her son was still able to be a "funny, cheeky little boy" and he is due to start school in September.

"He has been to hell and back but he's still able to raise a smile," she said.

Happy day

"Even when he was in intensive care he was trying to catch the eye of his doctor and shake his hand.

"He's a huge fan of Spiderman and when he doesn't want anything done to him he "webs" people.

"He doesn't want to be the centre of attention. He just wants to be normal, happy and get on with things."

Eventually Aidan may need a complete heart transplant.

But Ms Adams and Aidan's father Craig Brunt are full of admiration for him.

"He still has a long way to go. But every day is a happy day and we live for each day," she said.

"We are so proud of Aidan."

Family, friends and the local community have rallied round and organised a fundraising night at the Marine Hotel in Barry Island on 21 August.

Individuals have also made donations and it is hoped Aidan will be able to visit Disneyland Paris before Christmas.