Patrick Deery is only toddler with his whole life ahead of him. The two-year-old is "full of life" and loves to play with others and his favourite toys.
But the Derry tot was born with thoracic levoscoliosis and lumbar dextroscoliosis which is causing two major curves on his spine, forcing it out of shape, and if left untreated it can cause respiratory problems and even decreased life expectancy.
His mum, Nikita Burke, said she first began to worry so much early in her baby's life that she called her local GP, but she was told that 'it was nothing to worry about'.
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However, a scan in Belfast last year determined that Patrick did have scoliosis and a consultant told his mum that it would likely get worse as he got older.
They advised the family that he should begin wearing a body brace to keep his spine from moving too much, with surgery likely required later down the line.
Speaking to MyDerry , Nikita said she "couldn't think straight" when driving home last year and was "fearful" for her son's future.
"I actually got lost coming home from Belfast, my head was all over the place after the appointment," Nikita said.
"I always suspected that Patrick was born with this condition because you could see his back wasn't positioned correctly from the minute he was born, but to be actually told that he would need surgery which would require rods in his back and that they'd have to be replaced every six months was head-spinning for me."
Determined, Nikita did her research online and managed to find a case involving another child who travelled to the United States. She discovered specialised Scoliosis treatment offered at Shriner’s Hospital for Children, Philadelphia which could potentially avoid invasive surgery.
Medical professionals at the US hospital will be able to fit Patrick with a Mehta cast which is specially designed to correct the curve in his spine. However, the treatment Patrick requires will involve multiple procedures every eight weeks to strengthen his spine - with the family hoping to raise £20,000 for the trip.
"Another mum from Co Derry told me that her son went to the US for this treatment and after six years his back was straight and that avoided the need to do surgery. That's what I want for Patrick.
"He's beginning to feel more pain as he grows up and I don't want that for him. I am actually afraid that he's going to make it worse by walking around the house so, I carry him everywhere he wants to go.
"He was even playing with his toys today and he had to stand up because he was complaining to me that he was beginning to have a sore back. This is a young baby complaining about a sore back, that shouldn't be.
"Travelling to the Philadelphia is not ideal for me and my family because I have two other children and they are used to having me in the family home and it's going to disrupt all of our lives.
"It makes me angry that we're having to ask people for help and having to travel every eight weeks to the US for treatment but at the same time I'm very thankful to people who are willing to help my child."
It's hoped that once Patrick's spine has strengthened with the cast, he will be able to wear a brace for the following years until his back completely straightens.
"That's the hope," Nikita continued. "In other cases, people wear the cast until their spine begins to strengthen but only the professionals are able to remove it and that's why we need to travel over so often.
"If we get the opportunity to make this journey then Patrick will eventually be put into a body brace and from there it's hoped that his spine will be straight.
"That's what I am hoping for him because he has his whole life in front of him and I have seen others who suffer really badly with this condition and it's not fair on them."
If you would like to donate to Patrick's GoFundMe page, you can do so HERE.
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