A teenager is believed to be the only person in the world with a rare digestive condition that doesn’t yet have a name.
Finley Ranson first made headlines when he was just a tot, as his body was only able to digest one thing.
The 14-year-old’s allergy means he’s unable to eat most food.
When he does, his body treats it as a foreign object and begins attacking the digestive system, causing internal bleeding.
It’s believed he’s the only person in the world with the condition, which is so rare, it doesn’t yet have a name.
Now, he undergoes a six-hour session twice per week at Broomfield Hospital in Essex to have lipids – fatty compounds or oils – injected directly into his heart to keep him alive.
“It’s heartbreaking at times,” his mum, Rhys Wiseman, 37, told Need To Know.
“People don’t see what Finley goes through day-to-day.
“They see the happy, chirpy young man, but psychologically, he goes through a lot.
“The emotional impact has been very tough.
“He’s missed so much time at school due to hospital and illness.
“Normal things like holidays are tricky, as he has to be in hospital twice a week.
“But he has so much great support around him.”
Rhys had “no warning signs” after giving birth to Finley.
She realised something was wrong when he kept reacting “horrifically” to breast milk.
He would scream constantly, didn’t sleep, put on any weight and was generally, very unsettled.
Rhys switched Finley to a free-from diet and hypoallergenic formula; though his reactions only got worse.
He was taken to GOSH and underwent more than 20 operations to help doctors better understand his condition.
Medics then decided it’d be best to bypass his gastro system and feed him directly through his heart instead.
Finley, however, despite not being able to eat, always helps out in the kitchen.
Rhys said: “He’s always helped cook, we go to restaurants and each year, he has a birthday cake.
“He might not be able to eat it, but it’s to give some normality as everyone else.
“There’s no one else that we know of that has lipids infused directly in this way.
“And there isn’t a name for what he has, so we call it ‘Finley-itis.’
“Who knows, there may be a time when he is able to tolerate fat.
“But if not, we just carry on with what our ‘normal’ is and go from there.
“He’s remarkable.
“The most loveable boy who wants to help other people because of what he’s gone through.
“I’m so proud of him.”
Finley currently has the aforementioned lipid infusion, along with carbohydrates, proteins, vitamins, minerals and electrolytes, pumped into his stomach three times a day.
His case is due to be reported to a medical journal.
Dr Manas Datta, a consultant paediatrician at Broomfield Hospital, who has been treating the teen since birth, added: “Finley’s condition is unique; we have never encountered a case like this before.
“Finley has shown remarkable courage throughout his treatment, and we are committed to ensuring that he can thrive and live life to the fullest.”
Over the years, he and his family have raised over £30,000 for Mid and South Essex Hospitals charity and over £10,000 for GOSH.
On 17 May, he’ll abseil down Southend Hospital’s tower block to help give back to the staff who have treated him, with his fundraising target of £25,000.
