A One-Year Old Boy Who Never Sleeps

A one-year-old who suffers from a rare genetic illness that means he barely ever sleeps still manages a big grin every day for his parents.
Curly-haired Rio Vicary suffers from Angleman’s Syndrome, a rare condition which means he is unlikely to walk or talk and needs round the clock care.
The brave tot was diagnosed when he was just two weeks old and has spent most of his life in hospital where he is monitored by a dozen consultants. Rio is also albino which has left him blind but despite that he loves the light and enjoys music.
Now his parents Gemma and Wayne are creating a sensory room for him at their home in Halfway, Sheffield, so he can spend more time with the couple and their other sons Cody, seven and Jayden, aged four.
Rio is getting specialist care at Sheffield Children’s Hospital where he has spent most of his short life since the illness was diagnosed. Support from health services has been crucial for the family.
Gemma said: ‘Because Rio doesn’t sleep and wants to play round the clock we get three nights respite a week. Without that I don’t think I would be able to cope’