Marc looks forward to family Christmas

Rodney Edwards • Published 23 Dec 2009 09:00 0 Comments

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The family of Marc Elliott, the four-year-old who is battling the deadly disease Adrenoleukodystrophy (ALD) are getting ready for a wonderful Christmas together as their "big strong boy" fights on.

Marc has been left with 'tunnel vision' after losing some of his eyesight following his long-awaited bone-marrow transplant, which took place in Bristol over a 11-week-period. But despite the hardship, the Enniskillen youngster continues to baffle doctors and his parents with his incredible resilience.

"He's just brilliant," beamed Adel; "The inflation that he had before is still gone. He had started a wee cough before we left Bristol and it wasn't really going away, so we got him checked out in Belfast. The doctors found he had a wee infection but like everything else, Marc got rid of it on his own. He just amazes me and Damien. And now that he's home he's much better - not that he wasn't before, but he was a wee bit withdrawn before. He was different, he didn't like people hoking and poking at him but he's back to normal now. The other day I looked at him sitting on the sofa and thought 'oh you're back'," laughed Adel.

"He's really being himself again. He's such a strength and I just don't know how he does it, he deserves a medal. Only for him I wouldn't be able to cope," she added.

And Marc's family want to thank the entire community for all their "love and support" during a "hugely difficult" 2009.

"I'd love to be able to go round and thank everyone and give each and every person a wee hug" said Adel; "Everyone has been so good. Although we still don't know what's to come we want to thank everyone for all that they've done for Marc. There's so much goodness and kindness out there. From everyone who has raised money, to all the people who stopped us in the street or rang the house, even people who didn't know us were phoning to offer their support," she said.

Now the family (including little brother Matthew) are looking forward to Christmas - with more than 14 due to attend the Elliott home for a bit of turkey!

"We just can't wait for Christmas. We are all excited and giddy. We've looked forward to this day for so long and will spend it all together as one, big happy family - at last," smiled Adel.

The family added that due to Marc having to leave for treatment for a long period of time they could not thank all those who have supported them notice sooner and apologise if they have left anyone out. "Please accept this as a huge thank you to all, especially members of the public who donated and called with words of comfort," they said.

"The Marc Elliott Trust would like to thank the following local businesses, schools and organisations for their donations and help with fund-raising throughout the year: Spar, Costcutters, Centra, Holmes Cash and Carry, Tesco, Asda, Iceland, B+M, Dunnes Stores, Toytown, Kerry Foods, Vincey Donegan, Riverside Salon, Railway Hotel, Quinn Group, Erne Integrated College, St. Joseph's College, St. Fanchea's College, Devenish College, Fortlodge Hotel, Dollakis, Francos, Rainbow Amusements, Belleek Living, System Signs, Holy Trinity Primary and Nursery School, Impartial Reporter, Kilmacormick Playschool, Toddle Inn Nursery, Devenish Partnership, Golden Arrow, Enniskillen Town Colts, McNean House, RWD Group, Fuels and Lubricants, Western Cars, MacNeary Rasdale and Co, Ashwood Garden Centre, Conscape, Coa GAA, Florencecourt Gun Club, Killyhevlin Hotel, Manor House and all the local shops and pubs that kindly displayed buckets.

This article appeared in Impartial Reporter 23 Dec 09

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