Declan Vallance requires 24 hour care.
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His family says it is a far cry from the days when he played football, basketball and gold – achieving a handicap of four, aged 14.
Declan turns 25 on the day his great aunt’s art exhibition and sale opens (see story this page) and he continues to fight an as yet undiagnosed neurological condition that is affecting his whole body.
Medical investigations are continuing into what is affecting him.
With very limited use of his arms, Declan needs help with everything including eating, drinking, dressing, showering, toileting.
Standing increases pain in his feet so he mainly confined to sitting inside the house.
He avoids going outside on warm days, as heat makes his symptoms worse.
He often resorts to placing his feet in a bucket of cold water for relief.
Declan is sensitive to noise and can only tolerate voices at a whisper.
It is difficult for him to talk longer than five minutes as he voice tires easily.