12-YEAR-OLD social media star Harrison was born with scleroderma, an autoimmune condition which causes a build up of collagen in his skin and makes it "very tight." Harrison's specific form is so rare that there are only 30 people in the world known to be living with it and he is the only person in Australia. There is no cure for the condition and, at the age of four, doctors gave Harrison just "two years to live." Although he has defied the odds, Harrison has had to have fingers amputated and his joints have contractures, meaning "he can't flex his feet or move his hands at all." But in recent years Harrison has been able to undergo a treatment which has "saved his life" - every two weeks he goes under general anaesthetic while doctors clean his blood, treat it with ultraviolet light and then reinfuse it back into his body. With the new lease of life the treatment has given him, Harrison has thrown himself into his interests as a keen artist and sportsman - talents that led to him meeting one of his heroes, Aussie Rules player Dyson. As the pair became inseparable friends, they launched fashion brand 'Haych' together, with each clothing item featuring artwork created by Harrison. Proceeds from sales go towards a bucket list of dreams that Harrison wants to fulfil, but he is also using the brand to address judgement he and other young people with disabilities receive. People often ask him "why do you look weird?" and he receives stares when out in public, but Harrison wants people to "just be kind." With around 100,000 followers and growing, his positive messages are spreading far and wide online - and mum Leesa could not be more proud of him: "He's an incredible person and I just wish everyone could take a page out of his book because he makes life look easy and it's not for him, but you wouldn't know."
Follow Harrison:
https://www.instagram.com/haychthelabel
https://www.tiktok.com/@haychthelabel
