The actor Lenny Rush will be the first child presenter of Children in Need tonight.
The 14-year-old from Essex will join Mel Giedroyc, Jason Manford and Chris Ramsey on stage and host the fundraising show.
The Bafta winner, who rose to fame on Our Family, a CBeebies series about different types of families, said it was “a real honour” to present it.
Lenny said he hopes to inspire children with dwarfism through performances.
He suffers from spondyloepiphyseal dysplasia congenita (SEDC) – a rare disease caused by a genetic mutation.
The 14-year-old from Essex will join Mel Giedroyc, Jason Manford and Chris Ramsey on stage and host the fundraising show.
The Bafta winner, who shot to fame with Our Family, a CBeebies series that looked at different types of families, said it was a “huge honour” to present
The form of dwarfism can cause a child to be shorter than expected for their age and sex. Adults with SEDC range from 4 feet to 4 feet tall.
Other signs of the condition include abnormally shaped joints, vision and hearing problems, a short neck and limbs, a broad chest and a curved spine – although the hands and feet are still average size.
SEDC has no impact on intellectual development or life expectancy.
However, people with this condition often develop arthritis, have reduced mobility, hearing loss and joint stiffness.
About one in 100,000 babies are born with the condition, which affects girls and boys equally.
Ultrasound can detect the condition before a baby is born.
Alternatively, doctors may notice SEDC even after birth due to a newborn’s characteristics. It can also be detected with an X-ray, CT scan or genetic test.
SEDC is not usually inherited from parents. Instead, it is caused by a new mutation when a sperm and an egg meet.
However, if a parent has the disease, there is a 50 percent chance that he/she will pass it on.
The mutation occurs in the COL2A1 gene, which produces type 2 collagen.
Collagen helps build connective tissue throughout the body.
Type 2 is found in cartilage – the flexible tissue that protects joints and bones – and the vitreous, the gel-like fluid that fills the eye.
There is no cure for the disease. Instead, treatment is aimed at relieving symptoms, preventing complications, and improving strength and mobility.
Some people with SEDC may need surgery to increase mobility in some joints and to correct abnormalities in the spine and knees.
Lenny had surgery on his legs and had to close a cleft palate – a gap in the upper lip that is present from birth.
He also underwent surgery to have two rods inserted into his back to stabilize his spine.
In addition to Lenny, actor Warwick Davis also has SEDC.
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Crystal Leahy is an author and health journalist who writes for The Fashion Vibes. With a background in health and wellness, Crystal has a passion for helping people live their best lives through healthy habits and lifestyles.
