By CHERYL BURKE
News-Times

MOREHEAD CITY-- Doctors didn't expect Bruce Gunn, 36, of Tipton, Indiana, to live past the age of 4.
He has a very rare and usually fatal skin disease known as EB (Epidermolysis Bullosa). Most children die by the age of 8 who are diagnosed with the disease.
Through faith and determination, Mr. Gunn has lived, held down a job and drives. While much of his body is covered in scars and sores, and he's lost the fingers of both hands, he's determined to encourage others suffering with the disease and their families.
"I want to educate parents and encourage them because I have lived what they are going through," he said.
This week Mr. Gunn visited Carteret County and attended the N.C. Seafood Festival in Morehead City. But more importantly he came to visit with a friend who lost her son to the same disease.
Jack Croswell, a former student at Morehead City Primary School , died of the disease in March 2001. As part of dealing with her grief, his mother Emily met Mr. Gunn in April 2001 through a Web support group for EB families.
"I found out he was coming to Chapel Hill last June as part of a research project and I arranged the meet him," she said.
From that meeting, she and Mr. Gunn became close friends. She invited him back for last year's N.C. Seafood Festival while he was being treated at UNC Hospitals in Chapel Hill. He accepted.
"It was the first time he'd ever been fishing, and he went on a night sailing trip," she said.
He enjoyed himself so much that he decided to come back for this year's Seafood Festival as well.
When Morehead City Primary teachers who had worked with Jack heard that Mr. Gunn was coming this year, they asked to meet him. That meeting took place Thursday.
Lynn Hallman, teaching for the hearing impaired, worked with Jack and said that Mr. Gunn is an inspiration.
"He's a wonderful role model for all of us, but especially for parents who have children with the disease," she said "it's an honor to meet him".
Preschool teacher Pam Fallin said, "I worked with Jack when he was a preschooler. He touched my life. I wanted to meet Mr. Gunn."
Mr. Gunn said that he takes one day at a time, and wants to live the rest of his life encouraging others who are battling the disease.
"I want to live as much of a productive life as I can," he said. "I plan to keep active with the support groups and EB families. I know that I have been truly blessed and my life has a purpose".
Ms. Croswell agrees that Mr. Gunn's life has a purpose, and she's been blessed because of it.
"It gives me hope", she said. "He's been an inspiration to me and now I'm thankful for every day I have. He gives my son a voice, because my son could never talk."
Ms. Croswell she too plans to stay active in the support group and encourage other families who have children with the rare disease.
"I'm on standby right now for a Wisconsin family with an 8-year old son who they don't expect to live," she said. "I can be a shoulder to cry on and just be there for them."
Those wanting more information about EB can go to the following website: http://www.ebinfoworld.com

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