Father in a world of pain
Mark Rance, 27, from Jackson Street, suffers with Benign Joint Hypermobility Syndrome – a genetic and degenerative condition that affects the body's soft tissues, for which there is no cure.
He now faces the rest of his life unable to work or carry out daily tasks, and has to wear calipers on his legs and use a mobility scooter to get around.
Mr Rance claims doctors at several hospitals failed to spot the signs of the illness for eight years, diagnosing several other incorrect illnesses, preventing him from getting the life-changing physiotherapy sessions he needed for his condition.
It was not until Mr Rance saw a specialist doctor who was visiting Goole hospital earlier this year that he was given a accurate diagnosis, allowing him to research the condition.
But the damage to Mr Rance's body had already been done and he was unable to undergo physiotherapy which, if started early enough, can delay the effects of the condition.
Mr Rance, who has been forced to give up his electrical engineering business, is now calling for more awareness of the illness to prevent other sufferers being left in his situation.
It comes after the Mail told Alex Nolan's story, who also suffers with the same condition.
The 13-year-old, of Bridlington, has been diagnosed young enough to be able to have daily physiotherapy, something Mr Rance hopes he will take advantage of.
Mr Rance said: “One of the reasons my condition is so bad is that it was late in life when I was diagnosed, at which point the damage had been done.
“This is mostly due to the condition being not very well known and often misdiagnosed as simple hypermobility.
“If somebody had told me what I now know when I was young I would almost certainly be less affected now.
“Although there is no cure, you can limit the damage and delay the situation I have found myself in at the age of 27.”
Mark Rance with his family
Comment on this story