Politicians face ‘Cream Pie Challenge’ for Luke

TAOISEACH Enda Kenny and several other high profile politicians have been challenged to take a cream pie in the face for one little Southside boy.

Little Clondalkin lad Luke Styles has a rare disabling brain disease known as AADC. He is one of only 130 people in the world diagnosed with the condition and the only one in Ireland.

AADC is a genetically inherited neurological disorder that affects the brain’s ability to produce dopamine and serotonin; two of the most essential neurotransmitters needed for everyday living.

Affected children can also show a number of movement disorders. The severity of symptoms experienced by each affected child varies, but some can’t walk, while others can’t talk, eat or drink by themselves.

Some children respond well to treatment but if they stop taking medication, they can’t even sit up unaided.

In some cases it can prove fatal.

Luke’s brave mum Emma (22) has launched a new take on the successful

‘Ice Bucket Challenge’ to help raise money for AADC Research Trust, a children’s charity that funds research, supports affected families and promotes global awareness of the disease.

Called the

‘Cream Pie Challenge’ it has garnered hundreds of views on Facebook as dozens of people have taken up the challenge to help her raise money for the charity.

Emma told Southside People:

“My son Luke was diagnosed with aromatic amino acid decarboxylase deficiency (AADC) at six months of age. He is the only child from Ireland to be diagnosed and the youngest in Europe.

“I started the

‘Cream Pie Challenge’ to help raise funds for AADC Research, to get us one step closer to finding out more information about this horrible disease, to raise awareness and hopefully a better treatment.

“I realised how successful the

‘Ice Bucket Challenge’ was and I thought we needed something similar.

?

The

‘Cream Pie Challenge’ rules dictate that participants fill a paper plate with whipped cream, squash it into their faces, or a friend’s face, and donate as much as possible.

Then they nominate five other people to do the challenge.

People have been uploading their

‘Cream Pie Challenge’ videos and selfies to a Facebook page (www.facebook.com/creampiechallengeforluke).

One of those who took up the challenge is local Sinn Fein councillor, Eoin O Broin.

“Luke’s mother Emma has come up with this great idea to raise awareness about AADC and to raise money for Luke’s medical treatment,

? he said.

“Since last Saturday family and friends have been taking the

‘Cream Pie Challenge’ and nominating five other people.

“In an effort to further raise the profile of the campaign I decided to take the

‘Cream Pie Challenge’ and I have nominated the Taoiseach, the Tánaiste and leaders of the opposition to take part.

?

Cllr O Broin rejected the suggestion that he was using the stunt to literally see his political opponents with pie in their faces.

“That’s why I challenged various members of parties from across the political spectrum,

? he insisted.

“Who doesn’t want to see a politician with cream pie in their face?

?

Emma said she thought it was a fantastic idea to get the Taoiseach involved.

“Wouldn’t it be brilliant if he did it,

? she said.

“It would certainly help raise the profile of the challenge even further.

?

In a message on the Cream Pie Facebook page, Emma thanked everyone for their help and support in taking part in the challenge and for

“all your kind donations

?.

“I am trying to get the comedian Cian Twomey to do his

‘Cream Pie Challenge’ as he was nominated, but I can’t get through to him,

? she added.

“If anyone can help spread the word he has been nominated and get him to cream pie

‘Emily’ it would be hilarious.

?

To know more about Luke’s condition or to donate log onto: https://www.justgiving.com/emma-styles1/