Toddler with rare genetic disorder that turns his skin yellow trolled for looking like a 'Minion'
The parents of a toddler with a rare disorder, which makes his skin turn yellow, have revealed their upset at the response from strangers to their son’s appearance.
Logan Webb, aged one, has Alagille syndrome, a genetic disorder, which causes liver damage and bile to be absorbed by the body.
One side effect of this, is that Logan’s skin has a yellow tinge, which has lead to cruel comments from strangers comparing him to a Minion, from the Despicable Me film franchise.
His parents, Gemma Channing, 25, and Lloyd Webb, 27, now say they’re reluctant to take Logan out in public because of the upsetting comments.
“I always have people asking me what's wrong with him and that I should take him to hospital because he has jaundice,” Gemma explains.
“We get lots of people saying negative things such as asking why he looks like a Minion and that he looks like Shrek or the Grinch.
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Gemma says family can’t leave the house without a reminder about Logan's condition.
“We can't just leave the house and have a normal day out, we have to be stopped and reminded by someone about how poorly he is,” she says.
Logan was diagnosed with Alagille syndrome soon after his birth, in December 2018.
The condition means that Logan's liver doesn’t function properly and that his blood is only half oxygenated.
Logan’s liver is unable to process the bile in his body meaning it becomes absorbed into his skin causing burning and itching, as well as his skin to appear yellow.
Because of his heart and liver defects, Logan also can't absorb food properly meaning that even though he is one, he is still only the size of a six-month-old baby.
The condition also means that Logan's vertebra is misshapen, and the youngster is often in pain and discomfort.
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But despite spending long periods in hospital and having to take a daily dose of 10 different medications the couple say Logan never fails to lift their spirits with his happy smile.
“He touches the heart of everyone he meets,” Gemma says.
“He’s so happy and he's got such a lovely, little character.
“He's always shouting and giggling, he takes it all in his stride and he loves life.”
But everything Logan has had to endure has left the toddler afraid of people, which puts a lot of strain on the family.
“When he gets to hospital he's so different,” Gemma explains.
“He can't stop crying, he's very frightened of adults because he automatically assumes he'll get a needle.”
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The comments the couple receive from passers by have added to the stress on the family.
Gemma recalls an incident when the family were leaving a local supermarket. “We got into the car and were about to drive off when a woman started banging on the window,” she remembers.
“Rather than asking us about Logan she had called a paramedic who happened to be in the car park to assess Logan.
“She then proceeded to tell us that we should take Logan to the hospital as he was clearly unwell.
“We tried to explain to her that he is being cared for and has a complex condition.
“She just stood there and said it if was her son she’d take him to hospital.
“The paramedic understood what we were saying but it was so embarrassing.
“We have horrible comments and questions whenever we leave the house.
“Sometimes it just breaks your heart,” she adds.
Logan's parents are currently raising £2,000 on GoFundMe to pay for him to travel to California to see an Alagille syndrome specialist.
It is hoped he can have open heart surgery before he goes onto the list for a liver transplant
To donate, visit the family’s Go Fund Me page.
