'My son has planned his own funeral... he could have just days left to live'
09.12.2023 - 08:39
/ manchestereveningnews.co.uk
A teenager with a horrific skin disease that leaves his entire body covered in blisters could have just days left to live.
Rhys Williams was born with epidermolysis bullosa, a life-limiting condition that causes painful sores all across his body.
The agonising disorder means the Bolton teenager has spent much of his life barely able to move. Confined to a wheelchair, the 18-year-old would often refuse to leave the house in fear of people staring at him.
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Rhys’ pain once became so overbearing he told his mum Tanya he wished “a butterfly would come and take him away”. Tragically, he even went on to plan his own funeral.
Those with severe cases of epidermolysis bullosa have life expectancies up to 30. Despite doctors saying Rhys would never reach double figures, he defied the odds by recently celebrating his 18th birthday.
But in a heartbreaking turn of events, the teenager has now been given just days left to live after developing sepsis and pneumonia.
Rhys had just returned from a holiday to Dorset with his dad when he suddenly became unwell on November 4. His mum, Tanya Moores, assumed he was suffering from Covid. The teen had symptoms similar to the virus including loss of taste.
But Covid tests came back negative and Rhys’ condition continued to deteriorate, seeing his breathing and heart rate rapidly increase.
Four days later, mum-of-three Tanya decided to take her son to hospital. By this point, his oxygen levels were dangerously low.
Medics carried out blood tests which revealed Rhys had sepsis. The teenager was given