|
 A
couple is battling a silent killer disease that claimed the life of their
31-year-old son.
Goeff and Maureen
Rutherford, of the Miners Arms, Maeshafn, near Mold, are helping to raise
funds so that screening equipment can be installed to cover North Wales.
Mrs Rutherford said:
“Our son, Jonathan, had been suffering severe pain in his foot after a
fall and we now understand he was developing complex regional pain
syndrome, otherwise he was fit and healthy.
“The week he died, the
pain was being brought under control and Jonathan was sleeping properly
for the first time since he fell last November.
“He went to bed looking
forward to meeting friends and going out into the countryside, something
he loved, but had been unable to do for weeks.”
Mrs Rutherford said that
when she took him breakfast in bed that next morning she immediately knew
he was dead.
She added: ”The pain
for all the family has been unbearable because a light had gone out in the
world.
 “We
were devastated when we were told at the inquest there was no apparent
reason for his death, which was recorded as Sudden Adult Death Syndrome.
“From the Internet, I
learned that this syndrome can affect whole families and there are hidden
heart conditions, particularly Long QT Syndrome, which are detectable
before death, but which leaves no trace after death.
“Within days, my
son’s wife, fearing for their 10-month old daughter Emma Louise, had
contacted an organisation called CRY – cardiac Risk in the Young and was
arranging for Emma to be checked to make sure there were no genetic links
that could leave her vulnerable.
“I then contacted CRY
about Jonathan’s two sisters, Joanne and Julie, and Julie’s sons,
Dominic and William.
“The emotional and
practical support we have had from CRY has been incredible.
“Through them, we have
arranged for Julie to be screened as a matter of urgency, and Joanne, who
is in the USA, is to have similar screening.
“My sister and her two
children are being screened in Newcastle, and Geoff and myself hope to be
screened in the near future…hopefully this silent killer will not steal
away any more of our precious family.”
Geoff is a member of Mold
and Buckley Lions, who are presenting “Jazz on a summers afternoon” at
the Miners next Saturday, August 4 form 3pm onwards.
It will feature the
Original Panama Jazzband, the Red Blues Band and Nebular.
Proceeds
will be for Cry and hearing Dogs for the Deaf. |
