Alex Connerty: Tragedy as disability activist whose 'kindred spirit' warmed the nation dies

Alex Connerty, from Merseyside, taught the satellite astir the uncommon information called Microcephalic Primordial Dwarfism Type II (MPD), associated with encephalon and skeletal abnormalities

A teen hailed arsenic an "inspiration" for his tireless activism astir disability has died.

Relatives of Alex Connerty, who had the uncommon information called Microcephalic Primordial Dwarfism Type II (MPD), are heartbroken aft the young man's passing connected Wednesday.

A foundation Alex helped make has carried retired tireless probe into MPD and its causes. Alex's consequent activism captured the hearts of the nation.

MPD, characterised successful 1982, is associated with encephalon and skeletal abnormalities. Although probe into it continues, MPD is thought to beryllium highly uncommon with statistic successful the US suggesting it affects conscionable 1 successful 3 cardinal people.

Alex shone a airy connected it and the challenges it presents, including funny stares from strangers. Yet, speaking erstwhile Alex was conscionable a toddler, his mum Sue described her lad arsenic "a sociable kid with a large personality" - traits that helium continued to boast for the remainder of his abbreviated life.

Speaking aft Alex died, his dada John, of Maghull, Merseyside, said: "Sue and I are heartbroken beyond belief! Yesterday Alex, our handsome inspirational lad unexpectedly and sadly passed away. Alex mum, dad, your member Michael, sister Jess, nan Margaret and Grandad Alec and each your different household members and fried are astatine a nonaccomplishment and already we each miss you truthful so much.

"Since you were calved you fought each time to live, you loved beingness and was starting to bask beingness to the fullest. We knew from aboriginal connected that your beingness expectancy would beryllium constricted but you pushed your beingness expectancy to the utmost limits to the constituent we thought you would beryllium with america forever!"

Alex "overcame barriers" presented by MPD, reports Liverpool Echo. The work besides says Alex defied doctors, beating paralysis, respective collapsed lungs and tummy country successful the months aft his commencement successful 2005.

John's affectional station continued: "As parents, we are arrogant of bringing you into the world, we are arrogant of the mode you overcame barriers successful your regular beingness and much arrogant of the mode you made everyone emotion you, owed to your astonishing personality, loving psyche and kindred spirit.

"The pursuing days, weeks, months and years to travel are ne'er ever going to beryllium the same. They accidental clip is simply a large healer but you were loved truthful overmuch that determination is not capable clip successful our lifetimes to get implicit your passing and the heavy spread successful our lives which has appeared, that volition ne'er beryllium filled, adjacent arsenic that clip goes by.

"We besides person galore many blessed memories that we tin retrieve you by that could assistance the nonaccomplishment we person but with these memories travel heartache arsenic we cannot make caller ones, which we privation truthful much.

"Son, you are astatine bid now, hopefully gathering up with passed household members and much importantly attending the biggest gig successful the entity with each your PD friends singing 'All Together Now'. We ever emotion you Alex. Your broken-hearted Mum, Dad and family."