Featured Image Credit: SWNS
Topics: Parenting
Claire Reid
A mum is pleading for help with her daughter’s rare condition that sees her eating walls, cardboard and other household items.
Jordanna Tait, 25, says she has to constantly monitor her two-year-old daughter Dolly to make sure she doesn’t eat anything she shouldn’t.
The youngster is thought to be autistic - but is still awaiting a a formal diagnosis - and has an unusual eating disorder called Pica, which sparks cravings for inedible objects.
Jordanna says she has had to quit her job to stay with Dolly full-time and is frustrated with the lack of help she’s been given for the condition.
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Desperate Jordanna said: "I'm just exhausted. I'm not Jordanna anymore, I'm just a mum. I love her, she's amazing, but I have no support.
"As a mother it's so scary, I have to watch her all the time. We've had to get rid of everything. I don't know what's going to happen next.
"A paediatrician has said verbally that she is on the autism spectrum, we're just waiting for a formal diagnosis.
"I do get help for her autism, she has portage workers from the council and they're fantastic. But there's no help for the Pica.
"It's so petrifying. I really don't know what to do. There's just no help at all."
Dolly first started to show symptoms when she was just 12-months old and her mum noticed that chunks had been bitten out of cardboard boxes in her room.
As time went on, Jordanna has even found pieces of Dolly’s storybooks and buttons from the TV remote control in her nappy having passed through her system.
Dolly now has to undergo regular blood tests due to the dangers of poisoning from the paint of the walls of her house which she eats.
But despite their struggles, so little is known about the condition, the NHS doesn’t outline specific treatment for it.
Jordanna added: "I struggle every single day. Dolly needs constant supervision at all times. We have to keep our eyes on her.
"It's a very hard way to live. My anxiety has gone through the roof ever since we knew about this problem.
"Because she eats holes in the bedroom wall, the doctors are worried about lead poisoning in the paint."
Jordanna says the help just isn't there for parents like herself and hopes to one day set up her own organisation to provide assistance.
She said: "I've had to fight for everything, it's one of the reasons I had to quit work so I could help her. I didn't want her to go through school with no help.
"I'm just a typical mum, I don't know where to go for that help.
"I'd like to set up a charity or something one day to fill that gap. If I could just help one person then I'll be happy."