A mother, Alexandra Bufton, 37, is facing significant challenges as her daughter, Doris, who has a rare genetic microdeletion and lissencephaly causing a smooth brain, endures around 500 seizures daily. In addition, her husband, Kris, 40, a self-employed builder, recently underwent emergency heart surgery. To cope with the financial strain, the family has resorted to fundraising.
Doris, now six years old, requires palliative care due to the severity of her condition, which has deteriorated over time. Alexandra, who also has two other children, shared the emotional toll of witnessing Doris continuously seizing and the difficulty of maintaining a positive outlook.
Despite the heartbreaking prognosis that Doris may not live past 10 years old and will never reach developmental milestones, Alexandra and Kris prioritize her quality of life. Doris’s daily struggles, including feeding difficulties and the need for specialized equipment, have pushed the family to seek financial support through a GoFundMe campaign, which has garnered over £10,500 in donations.
In the midst of these challenges, Kris’s own health issues, including a heart condition requiring surgery, have added to the family’s stress. Alexandra remains hopeful for the future, acknowledging the importance of taking each day as it comes and finding solace in humor to navigate the hardships they face.