Boy's kidney has grown in his leg
A boy is battling a genetic disorder that no one else in the world has, and it caused one of his kidneys to grow inside his leg, his doctors say.
Hamish Robinson, 10, is believed to be the only person on the planet who is missing a chromosome named 7p22.1. It is a condition that has no name, and so physicians refer to it simply as the "Hamish Syndrome."
The condition resulted in a structural malformation that left a fully functioning kidney at the top of his right thigh.
The youngster was born five-and-a-half-weeks prematurely in May 29, 2008 seemingly healthy albeit extremely tiny - weighing just two pounds.
The condition means he has hearing in only one ear, suffers severe asthma attacks, has spinal problems, learning difficulties and requires a voice computer to speak.
While one of his kidneys is located correctly, Hamish's pelvic kidney could prove life-threatening in the future.
Living with uncertainty
Hamish's mother Kay, from Over Hulton near Bolton, Greater Manchester, told The Metro: "It's so hard knowing his condition is unique because no one knows what to expect. Research is ongoing and his geneticist has written a paper on Hamish, but there's no knowing what's going to happen."
Talking about his pelvic kidney she said: "It's not like it moved, it's part of his physiology. It's a congenital condition which developed while he was a foetus. It has to be watched. This is what makes it so difficult because doctors don't know what could arise, we have to deal with it as it comes.
"It is just the way he is structured. It is unlikely to affect him just now but more likely when he becomes a bit older. If he develops any urinary infection, when the kidney isn't in the normal place it means it's dangerous for him."
Taking it in their stride
Kay, who stopped up her career as a lecturer to care for Hamish, was determined that he should have a normal education.
"He's such a personable and sociable boy with a magnetic personality," she added. 'I just knew putting him in a specialist school would limit him."
Although he struggles with reading, writing and speaking, Hamish has appeared in pantomimes for the past three years, is a regular at Jump X-Treme and will shortly be trying for his black belt in karate after taking up the sport at the age of five.
"He just takes it all in his stride," said Kay. "I don't know how he does it. Being with him has inspired me. He's been the biggest blessing of my life."
Hear more from Kay below.
