Our Heroes: Constant help gives young Corey hope
WITHOUT the help of his personal welfare assistant, Corey Townley would probably have to go to a special school.
Instead he is a "bubbly" boy who doesn't let his illness get him down.
The 11-year-old, from Chell Heath, has Epidermolysis Bullosa, a condition which leaves him with blisters on his skin, and needs medication on hand for whenever they appear.
But his mum Alison Hayward says that when he's at Tunstall's Summerbank Primary School, she knows she can rely on staff member Gail Petrozzi to look after him.
Alison has now nominated Gail for a Sentinel Our Heroes award in the School Star of the Year category.
The 38-year-old, who also has another son with the same condition, 16-year-old Dan Townley, said: "Gail is always there for Corey and if he is upset in any way she will comfort him.
"He has also had the opportunity to go swimming and Gail goes with him and takes all his medication."
Corey was born with the skin condition, which affects one in 50,000 people, and can get blisters all over his body, but they are usually found on his feet and hands, or in his mouth.
The cause is normally friction, the sun or general ill-health and Gail has been helping to manage his condition at school since Corey was aged three.
Alison, of Vickers Road, who is a dinner lady at the same school, added: "If Gail wasn't there I don't think Corey would be how he is at school.
"He's really bubbly and if he hadn't of been given that help I think he would have had to go to a special school.
"Corey loves Gail and will miss her a lot when he has to go to high school in September."
Corey's brother has been nominated as a Child of Courage in Our Heroes.
Corey said: "It would be hard at school without Mrs Petrozzi.
"She does my skin when I need blisters popping, gives me showers before and after I go swimming and helps when I am in my wheelchair. She is caring and is like a mum to me."
Gail, aged 55, of Beckton Avenue, Tunstall, said: "It has been a pleasure working with Corey and his family.
"He is a very brave little boy who has a lot to put up with but he copes very well with it."
Related links:
Our Heroes: Working to put buzz back into Burslem
Our Heroes: Specialist skills are lifeline for patients
Comments