When he was 11 months old, my son Harrison was diagnosed with Smith-Magenis Syndrome (SMS), a rare genetic disorder which affects his physical development, growth, behaviour and communication skills. He has a hearing impairment, curvature of his spine and a
hole in his heart that is likely to need surgery in the future. 

Self-harming behaviours are common with SMS, and Harrison injures himself daily, and really struggles to sleep. His self harming and night time challenges keep the rest of our family awake and we are all very sleep deprived. 

We have recently had our property adapted for Harrison and made a safe room to help him, and he is enjoying lots of calming baths and lots of sensory lights which really help to soothe him and
keep him happy.  Harrison loves lights and we love seeing his face when he has the opportunity to experience different sensory lights and the calm they bring him.

Harrison and his brother are the joys of our family and we would do anything for them.  Myself and some friends are completing a 94 mile bike ride from Huddersfield to Bridlington on 17 June to raise funds and awareness for the Smith-Magenis Syndrome (SMS) Foundation UK, a charity which supports families like ours living with children and young adults with SMS.  We want to raise as much awareness as possible of SMS and the work of the charity so they can continue to support families like mine with emotional support and practical advice and guidance. 

Any support you can show for this charity and for our bike ride would be hugely appreciated – thank you from Harrison and our whole family.