Ashley Vickers, a 42-year-old father of three from Sheldon, Birmingham, has been living with gastroparesis and diabetes for the past decade, unable to eat normally and relying on a feeding tube. His family has launched a GoFundMe campaign to raise £20,000 for a specialist operation that could transform his life.
Condition and Impact
Gastroparesis is a chronic condition where the stomach takes too long to empty its contents into the small intestine, despite no blockage. This causes constant nausea and vomiting, severely affecting Ashley's daily life. He has not been able to eat a meal with his family for ten years, a simple act he desperately dreams of.
His sister, Carly Ward, described the toll: "It breaks my heart to watch someone I love suffer every single day. Seeing him so unwell affects all of us, and knowing that there is an operation that could give him a chance at a better life means more than words can express."
Crowdfunding for Surgery
The procedure is not funded by the NHS because Ashley does not live in Scotland, where the surgery might be available. The family needs to raise £20,000 for private treatment. The GoFundMe page states: "For the past 10 years, my brother, Ashley, has faced challenges that most people could never imagine... He also suffers from constant nausea and vomiting, which affects every aspect of his daily life."
The surgery would not only allow him to eat again but also relieve vomiting and improve his quality of life, preventing the condition from becoming life-threatening.
Family and Children
Ashley is a devoted father to Jaden, Aaliyah, and Aayan. Two of his children have severe learning disabilities and rely heavily on his care. Despite his own struggles, he always puts them first. Carly added: "More than anything, he dreams of the day he can gather around the table with his children, enjoy a meal together, and spend precious quality time without constant sickness and exhaustion overshadowing every moment."
Appeal for Support
The family is asking for donations or shares of the fundraising page. Carly said: "Every penny raised will go directly towards Ashley's life-changing surgery. No donation is too small... Together, we can help Ashley get his life back — and give him many more precious years with Jaden, Aaliyah and Aayan."
