Ipswich teen with Stickler Syndrome dreams of Japan trip

Keigan Curtis was diagnosed with Stickler Syndrome when he was 13, a rare genetic disorder that affects connective tissue in four main areas, hearing, eyesight, muscles and facial.

The syndrome is affecting Keigan's eyesight with the 17-year-old having undergone multiple surgeries.

He has lost his vision in his right eye and only has a small amount of peripheral vision in his left.

Keigan's mum, Ann, said: "Due to this, his world has been turned upside down.

Keigan Curtis (Image: Submitted)

Keigan in hospital after one of his surgeries (Image: Submitted)

"He plays Warhammer with his friends, he's a season ticket holder at Ipswich Town and goes to away games, and now he's saying he won't be able to do that anymore.

"At the age of just 17, reality has smacked him in the face.

"We've had a lot of tears and a lot of frustration and anger. It's been tough."

Keigan when he was younger with former Town player Alan Judge (Image: Submitted)

Keigan, who attends Copleston Sixth Form and is in the process of learning braille, has dreams of going to Japan to see the country before he loses his full vision.

Ann continued: "He wants to visit the real Japan.

"He wants to go to Mount Fuji, Hiroshima and Tokyo and he has been saying that he fears he won't be able to see that."

Keigan with his family (Image: Submitted)

The trip to Japan is an expensive ordeal, however, so a fundraiser has been started to help the teen achieve his dream.

Ann said: "There's no cure for Stickler Syndrome.

"It's a very lonely existence.

Keigan with his family (Image: Submitted)

"As a family, we're not looking for the sympathy, we get on with it.

"We just want to make this trip of a lifetime happen before it's too late."

To see more information on Keigan, and to donate to help this happen for him, click here.

Keigan with his family (Image: Submitted)