Pride of Scotland award given to Highland epidermolysis bullosa (EB) sufferer Isla Grist
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Black Isle teenager Isla Grist (14) has recieved a Prize of Scotland Award in the Teenager of Courage category at the Daily Record Pride of Scotland Awards, in partnership with TSB.
The Pride of Scotland Awards celebrate Scots who are transforming the lives of the people around them, with nominations made by the public.
Isla Grist, a pupil at Fortrose Academy, suffers from epidermolysis bullosa (EB), an incredibly painful skin blistering condition more commonly known as ‘butterfly skin’, due to the patient’s skin being as fragile as a butterfly’s wing.
After hearing Isla's story, ex–international footballer Graeme Souness (70) swam the English Channel, to raise over £1m to fund drug testing to stop the pain of epidermolysis bullosa (EB) with EB charity DEBRA.
At the Pride of Scotland Awards in Edinburgh, Graeme said: “Five years ago I had the good fortune to come across this young lady and she changed my life. It’s very easy to use superlatives. I have been blessed by meeting this young woman.
"This young woman is the most impressive human being I’ve ever met in the seventy years I’ve been in this planet. We in this room are in the company of greatness."
“You are a unique human being. I love you. What she is going through you cannot see. It’s like someone has taken a blow torch to the body. No one ever told me about this disease. This is the worst thing that can ever happen to you.”
“We have to find a drug that ultimately cures EB. What we are trying to do in the meantime is repurpose drugs. I get angry when I hear this."
