Six-year-old who has had more than 20 broken bones steps out for Sheffield charity

Six-year-old Kieran Dube has had more than 20 broken and fractured bones in his short life so far – and now he is stepping out to thank Sheffield Children’s Hospital for the ongoing care he receives.
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Kieran was referred to Sheffield Children’s at just seven months old, after his parents noticed he was not reaching the expected developmental milestones.

Kieran was unable to lift his head up and stopped using one of his arms. He was subsequently diagnosed with type V osteogenesis imperfecta (OI), more commonly known as brittle bones disease.

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The condition, which mainly affects his elbows, means that even something as minor as a hug could break Kieran’s bones.

Six-year-old Kieran DubeSix-year-old Kieran Dube
Six-year-old Kieran Dube

Mum Rachel Dube, aged 32, said: “Neither me nor Kieran’s dad are carriers for OI, it was just a genetic mutation. His bones are like glass, if he falls, they break but thankfully that is becoming less frequent.”

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Sheffield Children’s are known internationally for the treatment of osteogenesis imperfecta. Children come from all over the UK and around the world to see clinicians who are highly respected in their fields while the Metabolic Bone Disease Service is the largest of its kind in Western Europe.

For the past four years, Kieran has visited Medical Daycare at Sheffield Children’s every three months for infusions with doses of zoledronic acid to help protect his bones.

Brothers Christian, Ryan and Kieran Dube. Courtesy of The Scarborough NewsBrothers Christian, Ryan and Kieran Dube. Courtesy of The Scarborough News
Brothers Christian, Ryan and Kieran Dube. Courtesy of The Scarborough News
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Mum Rachel adds: “They are like our second family. The staff are amazing with Kieran and know how to support him. They are great at talking to him as well as me, explaining everything they are going to do, how things work and are always happy to answer his questions.”

As Kieran gets older, the frequency of his breaks has reduced and before lockdown he was enjoying school and playing with his friends. He is now taking on a sponsored walk on Monday (July 20th), where he will walk one and a half miles from Scarborough Spa to The Sands in his hometown.

All the money raised for The Children’s Hospital Charity will support the Medical Daycare department at Sheffield Children’s.

Rachel continued: “He is really looking forward to the walk and seeing all the buses along the way, he’s obsessed with buses! He always makes me very proud with everything he does and how hard he works to overcome the challenges he faces.

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“We would love to raise as much as we can and give something back to the ward which has helped us so much.”

Lucy Rathbone, Regional Fundraiser at The Children’s Hospital Charity added: “Kieran’s determination to overcome the challenges he has faced so far in his life is inspiring.

“We’re so grateful to him and his family for taking on this sponsored walk to help Sheffield Children’s, in recognition of the care he continues to receive. We’ll be behind them every step of the way.”

To find out more about Kieran’s story, visit his Facebook page here: https://www.facebook.com/KieranDubeO.Istory

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The Children’s Hospital Charity has also launched a new sponsored walk event, Theo’s Walk, which encourages supporters to take on their own route, was launched following the cancellation of the charity’s Chatsworth Walk due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Registration is free and walks can also include a scavenger hunt activity guide to add to the entertainment. Anyone who raises over £50 from their walk will receive a special Team Theo’s water bottle as thank you for their hard work.

To take on your own sponsored walk for The Children’s Hospital Charity, visit: www.teamtheoswalk.com

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