KADDY Thomas has been through every mother's worst nightmare.

At the age of one, her only child Elijah suffered severe brain damage after undergoing surgery to treat a rare genetic condition.

It left the youngster, who was born with an abnormally-shaped skull, needing round-the-clock care at home and regular trips to hospital.

Despite a catalogue of health problems, Ms Thomas says her four-year-old boy constantly amazes her and describes him as a "happy and content child with a wonderful smile".

Single parent Ms Thomas, who lives in Portishead, has now launched a £5,000 fundraising appeal so she can take him on holiday.

She wants to take Elijah on a fortnight's break to Cornwall in August but says she cannot afford to accommodate a team of four carers to look after her son on the trip.

The 42-year-old former receptionist, who lives in Down Road, said: "We are looking for the opportunity to unwind as a family.

"It's been two-and-a-half years since he was brain injured and we've only been home for eight months in that period.

"We've been in hospital about ten times so it becomes really exhausting. As a mother, I'm really exhausted and when we are in hospital I often think, 'is this it?'."

Elijah, who has Apert Syndrome, was born in March 2006 and suffered brain damage after being treated at Birmingham Children's Hospital in October 2007 to relieve pressure on his brain. He spent a further 10 months in hospital as doctors fought to save his life and then underwent 15 months of rehabilitation in Surrey before the mother and son moved to North Somerset last year.

The syndrome caused his fingers and toes to be fused together as well as causing abnormalities in the face and skull.

Elijah also has brittle bones caused by osteoporosis, a cleft palate, which affects speech and breathing, and epilepsy, which causes seizures every day.

Ms Thomas knew there was a 50-per-cent chance her son would be born with Apert Syndrome because she also has the condition, but leads a normal healthy life.

She said Elijah had been showing encouraging signs before he became brain damaged but now needs help with almost everything.

He is fed through a tube, only has slight movement in his arms and legs and communicates by eye contact, blinking and moving his head to one side.

Ms Thomas said: "Prior to his brain injury, he was developing really well. He was sitting up and able to crawl and climb up furniture and play with toys. When we put a CD or the radio on he was responsive and had listening abilities.

"When he became brain injured, it wiped him out. He's had to relearn everything.

"He knows who I am and can respond when I come into the room but he's nothing like he was before. It has turned our world upside down.

"Nothing is simple or straightforward. If we want to go out for a walk, I have to think about a suction machine, because he has little control of his saliva, and emergency medication for his epilepsy.

"But he's a happy and contented boy. While he's been through all this horrible stuff, he's placid and has a real strength and determination about him.

"He seems to take things in his stride and although these challenges knock him out for a while, he bounces back."

Anyone who wants to make a donation towards paying for the holiday can send a cheque, payable to the Elijah Hodges Appeal, to Ms Thomas at 22 Down Road, Portishead, BS20 6EA.