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| Camerons 'overwhelmed' by support | Camerons 'overwhelmed' by support |
| (10 minutes later) | |
| David Cameron has said he and his wife Samantha have been "overwhelmed" by the letters and flowers sent in condolence over the death of their son Ivan. | David Cameron has said he and his wife Samantha have been "overwhelmed" by the letters and flowers sent in condolence over the death of their son Ivan. |
| "It means a lot to know that others are thinking of us and him," the Conservative leader said in a statement. | "It means a lot to know that others are thinking of us and him," the Conservative leader said in a statement. |
| "He leaves a hole in our life so big that words can't describe it." | "He leaves a hole in our life so big that words can't describe it." |
| The six-year-old, who suffered from epilepsy and cerebral palsy, died in the early hours of Wednesday. | The six-year-old, who suffered from epilepsy and cerebral palsy, died in the early hours of Wednesday. |
| In the statement released on Saturday evening, Mr Cameron continued: "We always knew Ivan wouldn't live forever, but we didn't expect to lose him so young and so suddenly. | In the statement released on Saturday evening, Mr Cameron continued: "We always knew Ivan wouldn't live forever, but we didn't expect to lose him so young and so suddenly. |
| "He leaves a hole in our life so big that words can't describe it. Bed time, bath time, meal time - nothing will feel the same again. | "He leaves a hole in our life so big that words can't describe it. Bed time, bath time, meal time - nothing will feel the same again. |
| 'A better place' | |
| "We console ourselves knowing that he won't suffer anymore, that his end was quick, and that he is in a better place. But we all just miss him so desperately." | "We console ourselves knowing that he won't suffer anymore, that his end was quick, and that he is in a better place. But we all just miss him so desperately." |
| Mr Cameron added: "When we were first told the extent of Ivan's disability I thought that we would suffer having to care for him but at least he would benefit from our care. | |
| "Now as I look back I see that it was all the other way round. It was only him that ever really suffered and it was us - Sam, me, Nancy and Elwen - who gained more than I ever believed possible from having and loving such a wonderfully special and beautiful boy." | |
| Mr Cameron, who has two other children - Nancy, five, and Arthur Elwen, three - had been an MP for Witney, in Oxfordshire, for less than a year when Ivan was born in April 2002. | |
| He suffered from Ohtahara syndrome, a very rare form of epilepsy characterised by spasms which start in the first days of life. Some children can suffer as many as 100 seizures every day. | |
| Friends said the experience of caring for Ivan broadened Mr Cameron's political outlook and made him a passionate supporter of the NHS, which helped provide round-the-clock care for Ivan. | |
| The Camerons have asked people to send donations to Mencap or the Friends of St Mary's Hospital rather than send flowers. |