Meet a Teenager who hasn't eaten for almost a year because of chronic condition that stops stomach emptying properly

The 14-year-old was diagnosed with severe gastroparesis after suffering from severe abdominal pain - which means her stomach work so slowly it is almost paralysed

 

Brave: Lauren Holding is aiming to raise the £30,000 to fund a gastric pacemaker

A teenager has launched an appeal to help her get life-changing surgery because she hasn't been able to eat or drink for almost a year.
Lauren Holding has a chronic condition that stops her stomach from emptying properly and has not been able to eat or drink for ten months.

The 14-year-old was diagnosed with severe gastroparesis after suffering from severe abdominal pain - which means her stomach work so slowly it is almost paralysed and she feels constantly full.
Now her family is raising money for a gastric pacemaker that it is hoped will stimulate nerves in her bowel which could help her eat.
Her mother Joanne Holding, 43, said: "Lauren has had constant abdominal pain which increased in intensity every three months or so, but the symptoms have gradually been getting worse until Christmas last year when she had another flare up and was in intense agony.
"It is very difficult for her. She realises she is not the only person in the world with this condition and this has helped her, but all she wants is to be able to eat a tiny bit of food."

 

Good and bad days: Lauren's condition is difficult to live with but she is still positive

Lauren, from Banstead, Surrey, now has a nasal tube that feeds directly into her bowel which is administered by a portable pump that she is connected to for 20 hours-a-day, every day.
Gastric pacemaker surgery can be funded by the NHS but it is a lengthy, difficult process and often is rejected.
Joanne added: "Every ten weeks, Lauren goes through a two-hour procedure to change her tube.
"The changing of the tube is a horrible process for her and as a parent I wish I could take her out for some food afterwards as a treat to cheer her up.


"I have never realised how much I appreciate food and drink up until now.
"Lauren has good days and bad days, she manages school but her condition is generally quite a big thing for her.
"It took her a long time to get used to people staring at her - it's been a lot for her to take on."

Get Surrey

Raising awareness: If she gets her operation on the NHS, Lauren will donate the money to charity

The Holding family hope to raise £30,000 for Lauren's surgery and aftercare. If they receive NHS funding, they will give the money raised to charity .
To donate visit www.gofundme.com/laurenstummy
Joanne added: "It is important to raise awareness and understanding as it is a very invisible illness, people see Lauren with the tube in and stop and look without knowing what's going on in the inside.


"It effects people is different ways, some people have mild stomach complaints but not everybody can't eat at all.
"The biggest thing for Lauren is the tube on her face, it sometimes gets uncomfortable and she worries about going on school trips and being in crowded places.

Get Surrey

Good attitude: Despite her condition Lauren tries to think positive

"Lauren is managing really well, she's so positive and has such a great attitude. She's so optimistic about getting the surgery and it working.
"She sometimes gets quite tired when we are out shopping and asks if we can go for a coffee - but it's just so she can sit down and have a rest.
"It's hard for her to just sit there, she can't even drink water. Christmas and her birthday were tricky to plan without food.
"She's had intolerance to certain food before she was diagnosed but she always liked pizza, seafood, ice cream and chocolate - like any child.
"If we have any surplus money or are able to get NHS funding then Lauren wants to donate the money to charity, in particular Great Ormond Street because they treated her and to help research into gastroparesis."