Eight-year-old boy creates bucket list to complete before rare condition leaves him paralysed

'He's got the biggest heart in the world'

SWNS ( SWNS.com)

An eight-year-old boy who suffers from a severe genetic disorder has just two years to complete his bucket list - before he is no longer able to walk.

Draven Jefferies was diagnosed with Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy as an infant and spent the first eight months of his life in intensive care.

“Eventually he came home, but it's been hospitals most of his life, at least once a week plus doctors appointments,” explained the Kent-born child’s father, Jason Jefferies.

"I just want to help to create as many memories for my soft-natured little boy as possible" (SWNS.com)

Doctors ultimately diagnosed him with the muscle-wasting disease, giving him a life expectancy that would see him live till late teens after becoming wheelchair bound as a child.

His father added that an operation conducted early on might have caused further problems, as the child’s lungs are now also failing.

“He also had a tethered spinal cord, and there are a few things which keep going wrong.

"There's no treatment for him really - the Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy is like a bad cherry on top of the things you don't want really - he's never going to get better.”

In a bid to instil some hope into the tragic circumstances, the family of five have created a bucket list of things Jefferies wants to complete before he loses mobility in his legs, which doctors speculate will happen when he is 10 years old.

"He's an animal-lover through and through" (SWNS)

These include visiting Disneyland, swimming with dolphins and “meeting as many animals as possible”.

“A little while ago he told me how he was worried he wasn’t going to be able to dance when he’s older,” added Jeffries’ mother, Jemma.

"But you’ve got to be strong - I tell him that he will be able to dance, he’ll just have to wiggle the controller on his wheelchair in time to the music.

"I just want to help to create as many memories for my soft-natured little boy as possible.”

According to his parents, Jeffries has always had a strong affinity with animals and is keen on making animal-related activities a priority on the list.

“He's got the biggest heart in the world,” adds Jason.

Jeffries underwent multiple surgeries as an infant as a result of his condition ( SWNS.com) (SWNS.com)

“He's an animal-lover through and through, and there are a lot of small things which would make him really happy.”

Jeffries’ family are raising money to make his bucket list dreams come true via GoFundMe, where they have currently raised £1,037 of a £5,000 goal.

“We have one mission,” the page reads, “and that is for Draven to tick off as many things as he can from a bucket list he has put together himself whilst he is still able to have the use of his legs.”