Reid is a somewhat shy seven-year-old boy who was born with Recessive Dystrophic Epidermolysis Bullosa; an extremely painful and debilitating genetic skin disease. At birth, Reid was missing large pieces of skin on his back, legs, hands and arms. Kids born with RDEB lack a critical protein that binds our layers of skin together like velcro. Without this protein, Collagen VII, Reid’s skin blisters and tears all over his body, mouth, esophagus, and eyes. What he and others with this severe form of the disease go through is beyond anyone’s comprehension. Reid endures extremely painful daily bandage changes. The severe wounds all over his body must be carefully cleaned and his mother must puncture any blisters to prevent them from spreading. Without the Collagen VII protein, blisters develop from the slightest friction (clothes seams, car seats, daily life) and can get larger because the velcro is not there to stop the spreading. 

Despite living with this debilitating condition, Reid enjoys building with Lincoln Logs and riding his plasma bike. He also enjoys the company of his two older siblings, Avery and Barret. Although Reid has a feeding tube, he loves food! Even though eating can be painful, he enjoys small bites of cheese pizza and hotdogs when he doesn’t have any blisters in his mouth or throat. He is homeschooled and loves listening to Christian Hip Hop or watching The Spy Ninjas on YouTube.