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This year the team at Novotel Liverpool Paddington Village have chosen to support ARFID AWARENESS UK as Emma, our Regional Finance Manager has a son called Oliver who is diagnosed with ARFID ( Avoidant Restrictive Food Intake Disorder)

Oliver’s story started at the stage of weaning, he never really enjoyed this as a baby and it was a real struggle to get him to eat at all. As he grew into a toddler (and gained willpower) trying to get Oliver to eat became impossible and although his parents along with the health professionals involved with his care tried every avenue to coax Oliver to eat nothing worked. Unfortunately he was hospitalised severely dehydrated and malnourished. The decision was made to start tube feeding. For over 4 months this was via an NG tube before he had surgery at Alder Hey for a gastrostomy. He is now entirely reliant on his peg tube for all his nutrition and fluids.

Oliver’s case is severe and he has not eaten any food orally in over 2 years. Oliver does not drink either and only occasionally will take some milk by mouth but never water or juice etc. Oliver struggles daily with the sounds and smells and sight of people eating and food in general. This condition impacts so many children and adults and it really is not well known about.

ARFID AWARENESS UK are the UK’s only registered charity dedicated to raising awareness and furthering information about Avoidant/Restrictive Food Intake Disorder. As a not-for-profit, they work to provide individuals, parents, carers and medical professionals with up-to-date relevant information, research and support.

This year we are planning various activites to try and raise funds for this small charity

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