KEY POINTS

  • A 10-year-old boy suffers from Complex Regional Pain Syndrome
  • It causes him to experience pain whenever things make contact with his leg
  • The boy has told his mother and his sister that he wants to die

A 10-year-old boy in the United Kingdom who constantly experiences severe pain due to a rare nerve disease allegedly told his family that he wanted to die.

Dillon Wilford, from the English town of Bolton, suffers from Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS), the Daily Mirror reported.

The condition, which is also nicknamed "suicide disease," causes people to experience "persistent, severe and debilitating pain," according to the U.K.'s National Health Service (NHS).

In Wilford's case, it causes him to experience pain whenever things such as clothes, rain, or even leaves make any contact with the area between his lower leg and above his knee.

The pain is so severe that Wilford allegedly once begged his mother, Melanie Wilford, for his leg to be removed.

"[I]t's important people realize CRPS doesn’t just hurt, it’s excruciating constant pain 24 hours a day," Melanie said.

Dillon has also reportedly told his mother and his 24-year-old sister, Maddison, that he wished to die.

"As a family, we are pretty broken, myself and Maddie have both listened to Dillon saying he wanted to die, imagine hearing your 10-year-old say he wants to hurt himself to numb the pain of his leg, how absolutely heartbreaking this is for us," Melanie said.

"While it is hard for others to hear it is important it is heard, in another few years as a 13- or 14-year-old if Dillon isn't better where will his depression, pain and anxiety take him? As a mother, this is a horrifying thought. This disease is so cruel, I am in touch with a lot of parents whose children with CRPS self harm and makes them want to do worse. I don’t want to lose my son," the mother added.

Dillon first showed symptoms of CRPS in November when he woke up unable to walk.

However, he was only diagnosed by a hospital in Bolton in January, a report by the Daily Express said.

Dillon has been unable to walk without an aid ever since exhibiting the symptoms.

There is currently no cure for CRPS, but its symptoms can be managed through physical rehabilitation, pain relief, psychological support, education and self management, according to the NHS.

A GoFundMe campaign has raised £28,040 ($34,015) for Dillon's treatment at a clinic in Arkansas.

Both euthanasia and assisted suicide are illegal under English law.

If you have thoughts of suicide, confidential help is available for free at the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline. Call 1-800-273-8255. The line is available 24 hours, every day.

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Representation. There is currently no cure for Complex Regional Pain Syndrome, but its symptoms can be managed through different treatments. ckstockphoto/Pixabay