A LITTLE boy with an incredibly rare condition has inspired his mum to fight for better care in Wrexham.

Dyfan Wynne is seven years old but because he suffers from a genetic condition called chromosome 8 deletion, which stunts physical and intellectual development, he only has the mental age of a two year old.

He is the only person in Britain to have been diagnosed with the condition and is one of just five worldwide.

And according to his doting mum Helen, his future is very uncertain as doctors and scientists are still learning about the condition through his experiences.

She said: “The professionals are looking to him to find out more so we don’t really know how it’s going to affect him in the future. But at the moment he’s got very complex needs and he has to be fed overnight through a tube in his stomach.

“We were told he would never walk or talk and one woman in America who has the condition is about my age but still has the mental age of a seven year old.

“He is also hearing impaired and has ADHD so what he has to deal with is quite frightening.

“Finding someone else who could provide us with respite was impossible.”

It was this need which inspired Helen, 40, and her husband Dean, 38 to set up Blythswood Childminding Services.

Together the couple, of Norman Road, Wrexham, now care for about 30 children and specialise in providing support for other families whose children have special needs or disabilities.

Helen said: “We care for children with a variety of needs including Down’s syndrome, cerebral palsy and sight and hearing problems. And it’s great that we’re able to offer the help that we couldn’t find.”

The pair are now being rewarded for all their hard work as parents of the children in their care have nominated Helen for Childminder of the Year in a national competition run by Nursery World.

She is one of only three childminders to have been shortlisted for the accolade and will travel to London in September where the winner will be announced at a glitzy ceremony.

She was also singled out as Student of the Year at Deeside College where she studied an NVQ in childhood development and learning and Dean came second in the national 4Children Awards’ Newcomer of the Year category in 2010.

Helen added: “It’s so lovely to be recognised in this way, especially as there are not many people like us in Wrexham, parents need to know the people they’re sending their children to are experts.

“And I think having the other children around has really helped Dyfed, they’ve really brought him out of himself and he’s so sociable now, he’s a real fighter and is so positive.We’re just like one big family.

For more information about the centre visit www.blythswoodchildminding.co.uk.