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| Version 2 | Version 3 |
|---|---|
| Camerons 'overwhelmed' by support | Camerons 'overwhelmed' by support |
| (about 2 hours later) | |
| David Cameron has said he and his wife Samantha have been "overwhelmed" by the letters and flowers sent in condolence following 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 following the death of their son Ivan. |
| "It means a lot to know that others are thinking of us and him," the Tory leader said in an e-mail sent to party members, activists and staff. | |
| "He leaves a hole in our life so big that words can't describe it... we all just miss him so desperately." | "He leaves a hole in our life so big that words can't describe it... we all just miss him so desperately." |
| The six-year-old, who had epilepsy and cerebral palsy, died on Wednesday. | |
| In the e-mail, details of which were released on Saturday evening, Mr Cameron said: "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' | '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, who has two other children, Nancy, five, and three-year-old Arthur Elwen, 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. | Mr Cameron, who has two other children, Nancy, five, and three-year-old Arthur Elwen, 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." | "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 had been an MP for Witney, in Oxfordshire, for less than a year when Ivan was born in April 2002. | Mr Cameron 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. | 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. | 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. | The Camerons have asked people to send donations to Mencap or the Friends of St Mary's Hospital rather than send flowers. |