Parents find cure for son's blood disorder despite medical advice!
LONDON, England - February 9, 2009 - Reuben Grainger-Mead suffered a condition so rare that doctors did not even have a name for it.
The schoolboy suffered from a low level of red blood cells, which left him with a weak immune system and needing blood transfusions once a month. Doctors compared his condition to living with a permanent hangover.
But after years of research his parents Michelle and Peter, discovered Reuben lacked vital amino acids and proteins and put him on a course of dietary supplements.
Now his red blood cell count is above average and he is catching up to his school friends in height.
Mrs Mead said: "We are dumbfounded at how successful it has been. We did live in hope but always had the doubt as all the medics were saying there was nothing else we could do."
The success of Reuben's treatment has led to doctors planning a study to see if similar therapy works on other ill children and adults.
One expert has described it as a medical breakthrough that could eventually lead to a cure for some cancers among other diseases.
Dr. Jose Delafuente, an eminent haematologist at Imperial College, London, said: "Reuben has been given amino acids as part of a diet of supplements and this seems to have a positive effect on him. They seem to be helping his cells grow normally and as a result he is starting to grow properly."
