Harrison Pennicott suffers from a rare skin disease

SPENDING some time out in the sun is something most Aussies take for granted, but not Warranwood’s Harrison Pennicott, who puts his life at risk if he spends too much time outdoors.

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SPENDING half an hour outdoors is a gift for Warranwood’s Harrison Pennicott.

The five-year-old is the youngest person in Australia with the rare skin disease scleroderma — and it’s incurable.
The disease makes him overheat quickly and unable to cope for long periods under the sun — otherwise, in his own words, he “cooks like a sausage”.

He takes daily medication to handle his condition, which unfortunately lowers his immune system and makes him more prone to illnesses.
Last Wednesday, he was rushed to the Royal Children’s Hospital with a knee infection, with fears it could turn sceptic and fatal.

It’s the third time he’s been admitted to the hospital, which is hoping to top last year’s record-breaking total of $17.6 million for its annual Good Friday Appeal.

Harrison’s parents, Jamie and Leesa, said their son’s health problems began with arthritis symptoms in 2016.

Harrison Pennicott at the Royal Children's Hospital with parents Jamie and Leesa. Picture: Kiel Egging.

“When we first took him to the doctors, his hands were like balls, he couldn’t open up his fingers,” Jamie said.
“We thought at the time it would be a reasonably quick treatment, and here we still are two and half years later.”

“The hardest thing for us is we don’t get help as much as other conditions, and everything we do is experimental,” Leesa said.

Harrison is in prep at Warranwood Primary School and has to take a “first-aid kit” with him everywhere, filled with cool towels, bandages, sunscreen, steriod creams and moisterisers.
He usually has to sit inside and watch his friends play — except for cheeky visits to the canteen to grab a fruit cup.

The family have done fundraising activities throughout Warranwood for the Good Friday Appeal and are hoping to raise more than $10,000 this year.
“We’re lucky, we’ve got lots of great friends and family and supporters, and they just love him,” Leesa said.

Harrison hopes to leave the hospital before Easter so he can play on his new scooter and get cuddles from the family’s puppy, Max.

Details: goodfridayappeal.com.au