The eight-year-old boy, George Ward, has had every bone in his face broken by surgeons to help him breathe properly after he was born with a rare genetic disorder.
Daily Mail reports that George Ward has undergone 30 operations to Crouzon syndrome – which causes the plates of a baby’s skull to lock in position too early, before the brain has had chance to grow.
It means his face developed abnormally, making it was dangerous for him to sleep without the aid of a breathing machine.
But now the youngster is adjusting to sleeping unaided for the first time since he was six months old after surgeons broke then reset 14 bones.
He had to wear a special £10,000 facial frame for four months which his mother Carleen Leyland, 47, adjusted twice a day.
The operation was a success, helping stop his hearing and sight problems as well as changing his appearance.
George, of Leigh, Greater Manchester, was diagnosed with the syndrome as a baby.
The condition, which affects on in about 15 million babies, means there is no space for the brain to grow further.
Although brain development is normal, lack of space causes pressure to build up and often leads to problems including the optic nerves becoming damaged and the tubes behind the nose being constricted.
The throat is squeezed causing reflux and ear infections are also common.
‘After his last operation, George had a frame fitted for four months to try to make his concaved face come out more,’ said Ms Leyland.
‘Now that the frame is off he can sleep through the night without a breathing machine.
‘It’s amazing what they have been able to do for George. I just love watching him sleeping now. It is so overwhelming.
‘He also looks better now but for us it is more about the health benefits. He has hearing and sight issues, which are a bit better after the operation.
‘Hopefully, with him being able to hear better, it will help his speech as well.’
George’s family including father Mark Ward, brother Josh, 20, and his sister Alex, 13, are now wanting to fundraise for Alder Hey Children’s Hospital, where he has received most of his treatment.
Ms Leyland signed up to do a Tough Mudder challenge in September, designed by the British special forces to challenge the toughest of the tough.
She said:
‘Being in Alder Hey you never feel that far away from other brave children, and it is crazy to think how most of us take the NHS for granted until we need it.
‘I am raising money with the hope of helping more children like George. The more you raise the more equipment there will be and the more research will be done to help.
‘People in Leigh have always been so kind and supportive.
‘I just hope they will be so again and sponsor my Tough Mudder challenge to help other children in need like George.’
