THE mother of a little boy who suffers from a rare genetic skin disorder has pleaded with the public to ask her about her son's condition and not just stare at him in the street.

Claire Griffiths, a teacher at St Wilfrid's Catholic Primary School in Hartford, will appear on television on Friday with her 18-month-old son Danny to talk about the difficulties and reactions they face from other people who do not know about Danny's rare and agonizing condition.

Epidermolysis Bullosa (EB) is a genetic skin condition where the skin, which blisters and breaks at the slightest touch, is as fragile as a butterfly wing.

Danny suffers from one of the severest forms of EB and, so far, there is no cure.

Claire had no knowledge of the condition before Danny's illness was diagnosed. She said: "It's an horrific condition that nobody knows about and going on television is about spreading awareness.

"When Danny started to get blisters and scabs on his face, people asked us whether we had dropped or scalded him.

"We still get it now but he's bigger so people seem to accept it more."

Claire and Danny will be appearing on popular daytime television programme Trisha and have already filmed their part.

Claire said: "It was a programme on disabilities and Trisha rounded it up by saying people would rather someone ask what the problem was and not just stare.

"I came on at the end and told our stories about when we've been out and about and the looks we've had - I'd rather people asked than assumed."

Staff, children and parents at St Wilfrid's have worked hard to support the family, dedicating their spring ball to the theme of butterflies which are the symbol of EB charity DEBRA.

Claire said: "I came back to the school in July last year, for just two-and-a-half days a week, and the children have been fantastic - a butterfly garden has been created at school and the PTA and parents have been very supportive."