Wish Granted for 13-Year-Old with Rare Disorder

At the Nu Skin global convention last October, Nu Skin President and CEO Truman Hunt offered to take Garrett Spaulding to a Jazz game of his choice. On Monday, Garrett’s wish was granted when he was there to see the Jazz tip-off against his favorite team, the Boston Celtics. Prior to the game Garrett was able to spend time watching the teams warm up, meet the coaches and players, and he even received a Jazz basketball autographed by the players.  

More than a 13-year-old boy who suffers from EB, a rare genetic skin disorder, Garrett is an avid basketball fan. Being able to watch the Celtics and other basketball teams has given Garrett something that he looks forward to every day of his life. As he watches the fast-paced basketball game, it gives him the excitement of competition he is not able to feel first-hand due to his condition. 

Though Garrett may not be able to play the game that he loves so much, he knows enough about the game to be a great coach and motivator to any team. Garrett was recently named the assistant coach of a city league team in his hometown in Newman, Calif. Garrett designs the offense, writing out plays and analyzing the players strengths and abilities. His participation has been inspiring to those on the team and in the community. (See more about Garrett by clicking here.

Garrett’s skin disorder is epidermolysis bullosa (EB). It is a rare disorder that causes fragile skin to slough off and blister. EB kids are missing a protein needed to anchor the inner and outer layers of skin together. Without this connection the layers slide freely past one another, creating a constant assault of blisters, infection and unbelievable pain. This means Garrett cannot receive a tight, loving squeeze or even have a basketball thrown to him. The slightest friction is just too much. To help protect his open sores, Garrett is wrapped in bandages all over his body to avoid direct contact with his skin. Despite the grueling, every-other-day change of gauze and bandages cocooning his body, Garrett has a positive outlook on life and finds joy in the little things.

The Nu Skin Force for Good Foundation (www.forceforgood.org) continues its ongoing partnership with the Epidermolysis Bullosa Medical Research Foundation (EBMRF) with the hope of providing new skin to suffering children. Donations from the Foundation help EBMRF (www.ebkids.org) further its mission to find a cure for this devastating skin disease by funding research at Stanford School of Medicine. In 2009, the U.S. Food & Drug Administration gave Stanford final approval to begin human trials of highly promising therapies for children suffering from EB.

Garrett’s night in Salt Lake was covered in the Deseret News. Click here to view the coverage.