Volunteers help build fence for Centralia boy with rare skin disease
CENTRALIA — Volunteers Sunday helped build a fence for Hayden Esser, a three-year-old Centralia boy with a rare genetic skin disease.
Even the simplest things can be hard for three-year-old Hayden Esser. With a rare genetic skin disease called Epidermolysis bullosa, the slightest friction can cause painful skin blisters.
"Hayden, he's bandaged, 90% of his body is bandaged," said Tammy Rifkin. Rifkin has known the family for years.
His father Brandon Esser said even clothes can cause Hayden's skin to blister.
"Most of his clothes he wears inside out or he's got bandages to protect him," Esser said.
Even with bandages, Brandon Esser said playing outside can be difficult for Hayden. Esser said any animals coming near him or even other children who aren't aware of his condition can be too much for his skin.
Esser and his family looked for a fence, but he said the prices were too high.
"He needed a place where he could go outside, he can play. We have a controlled area where we can keep and keep clean for him to play in," Esser said.
The need brought in the help of volunteers and a donation from Flat Branch Home Loans of material and a salt water pool to build a fence so Hayden can be able to play.
Along with the fence, a salt water pool was donated to Hayden Esser’s family. The salt water is therapeutic for his skin that blisters easily. His father Brandon tells me even the simplest things can be difficult for Hayden but now playing outside won’t be.
"I'm out here because I have kids and I understand their situation about needing a privacy fence and I'm here to help," said one volunteer.
Rifkin said she knew what the family goes through taking care of Hayden -- who has a nurse to help out with his care -- and said she believes the family is more than deserving for the help and donation.
"It's nice that we are able to give him something like this to help give him a protected environment otherwise he wouldn't be able to play regularly as other children do," Rifkin said.
