One of Oldest Living People with Lesch-Nyhan Syndrome Turns 33 This Month

Philip Baker of Bayville, New York, suffers from a rare illness called Lesch-Nyhan Syndrome. He celebrates his 33rd birthday this month, making him one of the oldest living patients with Lesch-Nyhan Syndrome in the world today.

(PRWEB) January 10, 2004 --Philip Baker of Bayville, New York, suffers from a rare illness called Lesch-Nyhan Syndrome. The symptoms of Lesch-Nyhan Syndrome closely resemble those of cerebral palsy, except for certain self-mutilating behaviors which the patient has no control over.

When Philip was only four years old, Long Island newspapers told of his family's struggle to care for him and the community turned out in droves to offer their support. But as he grew older and his special needs became more apparent, a long search ensued to help find the proper facility to care for Philip.

Because of his special needs, it was tremendously difficult to find adequate medical care for Philip, as many medical professionals were unfamiliar with LNS. Out of sheer necessity, Philip's mother Christine has become extremely adept in his care, and on more than one occasion has saved his life.

After a long and painful search, Matheny Hospital in Peapack, New Jersey proved to be the closest and most capable facility to care for Philip, even though it was more than a two-hour drive from the Bakers' home in Bayville. Philip stayed at Matheny for five years, but is back home now, where his family provides him with the 24-hour care he requires. His mother had to quit her job to take care of him full-time.

With the help of his mother, Philip checks e-mail every day and is in touch with the parents of children with LNS from around the world to whom he offers his advice and support. Philip is a bright and thoughtful person whose sensitivity comes out, not only in his words, but through poems and songs he has written. He loves sports, and is an honorary fireman of the Bayville Fire Company and the Sea Cliff Fire Department.

Philip celebrates his 33rd birthday this month, and is doing incredibly well, especially given the fact that LNS patients, with even the best of care, are only expected to live to the age of thirty. He is among the oldest living patients with Lesch-Nyhan in the world today.

The Baker family may be contacted by emailing Pbaker71@aol.com or by writing to: Philip Baker, P.O. Box 94, Bayville, N.Y. 11709.
###