THE parents of a disabled toddler are trying to start up a charity for their son.

One-year-old Bradley, who lives with his mother and father in Weymouth, has been diagnosed with the rare brain disorder lissencephaly and may not live to see his third birthday.

Mum Alice Parsons, 22, of Chickerell, said her and her partner James Webber, 26, are now trying to set up a charity in Bradley’s name to help pay for equipment needed to aid his care.

The mother-of-three said her youngest son, who is 23 months old, was in and out of hospital undergoing x-rays and scans before he was finally diagnosed with the disorder in September last year.

Affected children suffer seizures and muscle spasms, unusual facial appearance, difficulty swallowing and anomalies of hands, fingers or toes.

Many children show no significant development beyond a three to five-month-old baby but some children with the illness can live into their teenage years.

Mrs Parsons said: “When Bradley was born he didn’t have any head control, his growth was short and he was very underweight.

“He was in and out of hospital to find out what was wrong and eventually we went to Southampton Hospital where he had an MRI of his brain and it turned out that he had this.

“There’s two types of lissencephaly – type one where you won’t live past two years and type two where you won’t live past 16 years.

“It’s suspected he has type one but the doctors aren’t sure yet.”

Miss Parsons added: “It felt devastating to be told that – I was heartbroken.

“I was hysterical when I found out at the hospital, I just crumbled to the floor.

“At first I didn’t understand it but when James started asking questions and they went into more detail and I found out it would shorten his life I was devastated.

“I’m still coming to terms with it to this day.”

Miss Parsons and her partner are hoping to set up a charity in their son’s name to help fund various equipment including a high chair that will cost £350 and play equipment.

The couple are looking for a chairman and treasurer who can volunteer their time to help set up the charity.

If you would like to help, or make a donation, contact Miss Parsons on alicecwebber@hotmail.com