A 30-year-old Ballinamallard man born with a an extremely rare chromosome disorder that affects just 67 people in the entire world is fundraising to travel to America to meet others with his condition and raise awareness.
Lee Martin was diagnosed as a child with triploid diploid mossiaca, which effectively means his 6ft 2 stature is squashed into a 4ft 7 frame and his organs are compressed. He is also chronic asthmatic. He hopes to travel to Houston, Texas in April for a special conference to help raise awareness of the condition. The trip will also allow Lee to meet fellow people with the condition.
Fundraising for the trip first began back in August last year, with their first cake sale held on November 28. To date they have raised a total of £5,279.92 through a range of raffles, cake sales and a special music night on December 3 held in the Killyhevlin Hotel for Lee’s birthday.
Speaking ahead of the trip Lee’s mother Caroline Martin told the Herald he was extremely excited at the chance to travel to America.
“It is a once in a lifetime, magical trip for Lee, he’s just as high as a kite about it. He has never met any of his syndrome family and to get as many possible together in one room will be great.”
Lee is the only person with triploid diploid mossiaca who lives independently. He lives in a two bedroom bungalow in Ballinamallard.
“They were astounded when we blogged about the house and put it on Facebook, they really want to meet him and find out how he did it, he’s an inspiration to them,” she said.
This Friday February 20 in the Bush Bar, Enniskillen there is a disco being run by Micky Quinn from 10pm for the Lee Martin Fund. On February 28 there is a coffee morning in St Macartin’s Cathedral Hall, Enniskillen from 10.30am to 1pm, while on March 5 a fashion show is being held in the Enniskillen Hotel at 7.30pm. Through the Herald Caroline thanked everyone who has supported the fundraising effort in any way.
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