Plea to help baby boy with skull complaint (From Malvern Gazette)

Plea to help baby boy with skull complaint

11:31am Friday 23rd February 2007 in News By Lindsay Holder

A CONCERNED Malvern mother is desperate to raise enough money to help her son, who has a distorted skull.

Elizabeth Price's six-month-old son Charlie has plagiocephaly, a flattening of part of his head.

Charlie was born with a stiff muscle in his neck, causing his head to pull to one side and more pressure to be put on one part of his head when sleeping or lying down.

Though the muscle has corrected itself, Mrs Price, aged 25, says a flat patch on the back of Charlie's head has got worse.

The condition does not cause Charlie any pain, or endanger his life, but if it is not corrected within the first few months of his life, it could be permanent.

"The problem is not life threatening, and is a cosmetic one, but I want to do the best for my son, and if it can be corrected, I will do all I can to put it right," explained Mrs Price, of Atyeo Close, who also has a two-year-old daughter called Lillie.

"Specialists have told me it really needs to be corrected before he reaches eight months, so I don't have very much time left."

She is hoping to raise the £2,000 needed to purchase a Starband helmet, which is designed to gently mould the skull back into shape.

The helmets are specially made in America, and Mrs Price was told they were not available on the NHS in this country.

She is currently organising several fundraising events, including a psychic evening in Hereford, and is looking for donations and raffle prizes.

"Anything that people or businesses can offer would be really appreciated," she said.

Mrs Price can be contacted on 01684 566878.