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KATIE'S AGONY
I’m so worried about 29st Harvey — eating is killing him, says Katie Price
DESPERATE Katie Price has told of her agony over son Harvey after his weight soared to nearly 29st.
Disabled Harvey, 18, has a condition which makes him crave food. Doctors warn he is at serious risk of a heart attack if he does not lose weight urgently.
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Mum-of-five Kate, 42, said: “He’ll need to lose weight or he’ll end up dead. I don’t want to lose him.”
Within two months, disabled Harvey has piled on almost two stone and is now tipping the scales at 28st 7lb. A shocking weight for anyone, let alone a lad of 18.
His obsession with food is linked to his disabilities — which make him always feel hungry.
It became so bad that Katie was recently forced to beg fans for help in finding a treadmill and rowing machine in a desperate bid to get her son exercising during lockdown.
Now, in a heartbreaking interview, the model mum reveals doctors have warned that the battle to keep Harvey alive is “critical” — as he could drop dead from a heart attack if he doesn’t lose weight urgently.
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Katie, 42, has warned her son of the dangers of overeating.
She has been forced to padlock the family fridge to stop him bingeing in the night and also has to lock the kitchen cupboards.
It is fair to say Katie has struggled to cope in lockdown with the teenager, who is autistic and struggles with the excessive appetite caused by his genetic condition Prader-Willi Syndrome.
It can impact muscle tone and functions of the nervous system and sparks the constant desire to eat.
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“It’s a cruel illness. He feels hungry all the time,” she tells The Sun.
“Every time I feed him, it’s killing him.
“Even though it makes him happy, it’s cruel of me to do it.
“He needs to lose weight or he’ll end up dead. He doesn’t deserve that. I don’t want to lose him.
“He’s only 18, he’s got his whole life ahead of him. I will do anything to help.”
'HE'LL SMASH THINGS UP IF YOU SAY NO'
Despite Katie doing her best to limit her son’s food intake, Harvey turns violent when he doesn’t get what he wants.
She explains: “It’s a cruel and horrible illness where he feels hungry all the time — and if he doesn’t get food he gets angry. It’s hard work.
“He’ll smash things up if you say no. I’ve had to re-plaster my walls because he’ll bash holes in them with his head.
“He knows what nice things taste of. I’ll give him sweet potato chips instead of real fries but he knows the difference.
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“It’s not what he eats in the day, it’s what he eats when I don’t see him. I’ve tried hiding food but he’ll find it.
“You can’t leave food or leftovers on the side or he’ll eat it, and he’s really quick too.
“He even eats in his sleep. He’ll walk downstairs and eat whatever he can find.
“We’ve even found him rummaging through friends’ bags for food.”
The worried mum begged her Instagram followers for gym equipment that will carry his weight after lockdown forced gyms to close.
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Katie needs to take drastic action as her son is unable to leave the house due to the pandemic.
Vulnerable Harvey was admitted to hospital in July with breathing problems and a high temperature.
Katie was told he was at risk of organ failure and a coma, and feared he was having a heart attack.
Harvey did not test positive for Covid-19, but spent ten days in intensive care due to the “complex” nature of his medical needs.
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He has been known to steal pizzas at home and eat them from frozen.
Katie explains: “I tell him he’ll die and he says, ‘No, don’t be silly, Mummy’s only joking’.
"He doesn’t understand. He’s always been a big boy, always been chubby, but now it’s ridiculous.
“His clothes are 7XL, there are only two shops on the internet where I can get clothes for him.
'THE DAMAGE IS DONE'
“He walks up the stairs and he’s sweating and out of breath.
“I’m really upset and worried about Harvey’s weight because now it’s on, the damage is done.
“People say to me, ‘Why don’t you just not let him eat?’ but they don’t understand.
“He’ll smash things or headbutt the walls if I say no to him.
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“But there is no time to wait, he has to lose weight now.”
Katie has brought up Harvey alone since birth after being abandoned by his dad, ex-Manchester United footballer Dwight Yorke.
She says “he’s a disgusting human for not wanting to know his son”.
But she is now doing everything in her power to change frog-obsessed Harvey’s fate.
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She plans to paint the gym equipment green to encourage him to use it so she doesn’t lose him.
Katie adds: “We need to do exercise slowly and properly because even that could kill him.
“I need to buy two seats on planes and the seat belts in cars don’t fit him anymore —- we need an extender belt.
“He can’t bend down to put his clothes on as he gets out of breath and sweats so much.”
'I PLAY THE MUM AND DAD ROLE TO HIM'
Katie — who is learning to walk again after breaking both her feet in an accident on holiday six months ago — is also fighting on Harvey’s behalf to take down sick online trolls.
She has stepped up her bid to get Harvey’s Law introduced after a vile clip of a man in black make-up pretending to be Harvey and a woman posing as her appeared on Twitter.
An emotional Katie says: “They pick up on him because he’s black, obese and has disabilities.
“I play the mum and dad role to him, so I am protective. He is a unique child and he’s very special.
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“Harvey is harmless, he’s innocent and he loves everyone.
“If they met him they’d love him. He’d just say hello and want to talk to them.
“I need to ensure that people don’t get away with this and it stops now.
“I’m prepared to take it all the way to court. It’s disgusting and it really upsets me.”
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The mum of five says her next eldest children — whose dad is ex-husband Peter Andre — have been devastated by the abuse and forced to defend their brother online.
Katie adds: “Junior and Princess are so protective of Harvey. They can’t understand why people are so horrible and they keep saying to me, ‘We’re so normal, why do we deserve to be mocked?’
“I want people to know they can face prison because of their abuse on social media.
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“It’s so hard and heartbreaking, but I’ll do anything for my Harvey.”
READ MORE SUN STORIES
Katie has just finished filming an eye-opening BBC documentary, Katie Price: Harvey And Me, to show how they live with his condition.
She says her fans will be shocked after only ever showing his “fun” side and not the true struggles.
Katie backs our appeal
KATIE last night got behind The Sun’s Give It Back campaign to support families of disabled children.
We demand the Government reinstates £434million of cut funding — for services such as respite care and vital equipment.
Our campaign was launched with the Disabled Children’s Partnership.
Katie said: “I think there should be more support for parents out there.
“Whenever I’m out and see anyone with a child or adult with disabilities I do go up to them and say ‘Look, I know how difficult it must be for you, I appreciate what you do because I go through it myself’.
“Carers don’t get enough support either.”
The charity Family Fund is a member of the Disabled Children's Partnership and has grants to give families of disabled children during the pandemic - more info can be found here:
Katie Price reunited with her children after luxury Maldives holiday with Carl as they spend lazy Sunday at homes
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