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7-Year-Old Boy Leaves Heartbreaking Letter For Friends Before Death

7-Year-Old Boy Leaves Heartbreaking Letter For Friends Before Death

So sad.

James Dawson

James Dawson

It has emerged that a seven-year-old lad left a heartbreaking letter for his friend before his death.

In the moving letter, Marshall Clark, from Plymouth in Devon, told his mates that he will be able to 'ride slides, eat strawberries, run, talk and enjoy his childhood' in heaven.

The schoolboy was robbed of these things for three years due to the rare genetic illness Late Infantile Batten Disease - a disorder that affects the nervous system.

Marshall was left bedridden for 10 months and lost vision, mobility and ability to communicate.

Credit: SWNS

He died just days before his eighth birthday and his grieving family published his message to his loved ones through his grandmother Elsie's online blog.

She said: "He is in heaven now. This was his hell and now he is free."

In the letter, Marshal wrote: "It's okay because nana has told me all about it (heaven) and about all the wonderful things I will be able to do when I am there.

"There will be loads of slides and strawberries and cupcakes and I will be able to eat again and run and watch videos.

"Be happy for me that I am no longer trapped in a body that stopped me from enjoying my childhood. I am now free to do all the things I have missed so very much."

Credit: SWNS

Marshall was diagnosed with the condition in September 2013, becoming one of only 24 children in the UK to suffer from the disease.

He suffered night terrors, uncontrollable seizures and tremors which meant he couldn't feed himself.

As his condition continued to deteriorate, trained nurse Elsie - who cared for little Marshall at her home - said he would involuntarily fall to the floor up to 40 times a day.

But she said he never cried, never complained and never gave up.

She added: "His determination and his happiness throughout it all has just amazed me.

"When he lost the ability to walk, he learnt to crawl.

"When he struggled to feed himself using a knife and fork, he swapped his cutlery for two forks and would eat one mouthful at a time.

"And even when he was bed-bound, unable to move or talk, he continued to smile."

Credit: SWNS

Elsie described Marshall as a 'beautiful, brave little boy', who - despite his infancy - seemed to 'accept' his illness.

She added: "Marshall took everything in his stride.

"Every time he lost a skill, he would continue as normal. Batten disease is a horrible condition and it's been an evil journey to go through but he was so, so brave.

"Marshall lost everything within 18 months of the diagnosis but he seemed to just accept it. He never cried.

"He took everything this disease threw at him and kept trying. He would drop to the floor about 40 times a day, that's why he wore a helmet, but he would always get back up. He never complained or got frustrated by it."

A fan of the Toy Story film franchise and Spider-Man, Marshall's funeral on November 8 - planned to coincide with his eighth birthday - will be superhero-themed.

Featured image credit: SWNS


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Topics: Death, Feels, Letter

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