Ehlers Danlos Syndrome, also known as “Cutis hyperelastica”, is a rare condition where there exists a defect in the synthesis of collagen. This inherited disorder has no quick fix or elixir because the severity of the condition can range from benign to malicious. In common man terms, the condition Ehlers Danlos Syndrome is directly related to those who exhibity extreme hyper mobility, and continuous dislocation of joints. Different ranges of hyper mobility exist and studies show that 1 in every 10,000 or 15,000 is afflicted by any range of hyper mobility.

Two doctors gave definition to this condition at the turn of the twentieth century, Edvard Ehlers of Denmark and Henri-Alexandre Danlos of France.

Examples of hyper mobility would be circumstances where one can bend their toe fingers all the way down or rotate their arm out of it’s socket and bring it back.

One young girl was born with a severly radical form of this disorder. Three year old Olivia Court, afflicted with the incredibly severe form of this condition, has been through two hip surgeries and has been taken to countless doctors and surgeons in order to find a way to help her walk .

After realizing that Olivia was not sitting up or crawling at the age of one, Olivia’s mom and dad, Lena, 36, and Adrian, 41, a couple residing in Earl Shilton, Leicestershire, started doing the rounds of doctors in order to find a solution. After much contemplation and meeting with many doctors, they decided to go ahead with two corrective hip surgeries. However, Olivia would end up with a dislocated hip, even when wearing a cast for eleven months that covered her from her chest to her knees.

With incredibly weak muscles that could not support her joints, Olivia could not walk, sit up, or even crawl. After the two corrective hip surgeries, the doctors and surgeons gave up on Olivia’s condition.

Although doctors told Lena and Adrian Court that their daughter would never walk, the couple were determined to find a way to give their little girl a chance to living a normal life.

And then an answer came from a surgeon. Something akin to a bodysuit was suggested for Olivia. Although a great idea, the bodysuit was out of the Courts’ price range. Costing two thousand-five hundred pounds, this shapewear like bodysuit was meant to hold her muscles together in order to keep her joints together.

After being turned down by their local NHS Trust due to lack of medical evidence, the Courts turned to a local community group called Barwell and Earl Shilton Lions Club, who raised the money.

Olivia must wear the suit for 8 hours a day and 5 days a week. Made out of Lycra, the suit has allowed Olivia to walk. She is now beginning to lead a normal child’s life.

She now is able to attend nursery regularly without having to stay in bed from chronic fatigue.

Although a new way to treat extreme mobility, it seems bodysuit shapewear has brought about a possible solution.