Lifelong Doctor Who fan is buried in a Tardis after dying from muscular dystrophy aged just 20

• Antony McCracken died after suffering a heart attack in late November this year 
• Born with Duchenne muscular dystrophy – an incurable, progressive disorder 
• He set out his dream of being laid to rest in the Tardis coffin just before his death 

A lifelong Doctor Who fan has been buried in a Tardis after he died from muscular dystrophy at the age of 20.   

Antony McCracken set out his dream of being laid to rest in the Tardis-shaped coffin box shortly before he succumbed to a heart attack in late November this year.

Mr McCracken, known as ‘Little Ant’, was born with Duchenne muscular dystrophy – an incurable, progressive disorder that causes muscle degeneration and breathing problems.

People with the condition usually only live to see their 20s or 30s.

Antony McCracken set out his dream of being laid to rest in the Tardis-shaped coffin box shortly before he succumbed to a heart attack in late November this year

Mr McCracken, known as ‘Little Ant’, was born with Duchenne muscular dystrophy – an incurable, progressive disorder that causes muscle degeneration and breathing problems

Pictured: Antony McCracken as a young boy around Christmas time 

Despite his prognosis, his mother Becky McCracken, 39, said the ‘massive Dr Who fan’ always kept a smile on his face.

She said: ‘He was a massive Dr Who fan, he loved Marvel, and the colour pink was his favourite colour.

‘All the obstacles he had in his life, he faced them head-on with a smile.

‘He always said he was happy, even though he was very ill.’

As well as making his own plans for the ceremony, Anthony made sure that his tragic passing would give two strangers a second chance, as he donated both his kidneys.

His mother said: ‘It gives me a little bit of warmth, knowing that two people will go home for Christmas because of him.

Despite his prognosis, his mother Becky McCracken, 39, said the ‘massive Dr Who fan’ always kept a smile on his face

‘It makes me feel like he has done something worthwhile.

‘He always said he wanted to become a superhero, and now he has.’

She said that when Anthony eventually passed away on November 26, he required round the clock attention.

She said: ‘By the time Antony died, he couldn’t do anything for himself.

‘He had significant special needs. He had a lot to overcome, and he did all right with it, he always had a smile on his face.

‘His condition was one that only gets worse, never better. It became progressively more difficult for him to get about and live his life, but he made the most of his time.

She said that when Anthony eventually passed away on November 26, he required round the clock attention

A fundraiser was set up in Little Ant’s memory to help pay for his funeral, which cost £4,000, has raised more than £1,000 so far

His mother, father Anthony, 38, sister Sheyenne, and brothers Calvin and Cohen, who also have Duchenne muscular dystrophy, all attended the event

She added: ‘We knew from a very early age that he wasn’t going to get better.

‘He was two years old when I found out about his condition, so we had a lot of time to come to terms with what was going to happen.

The disease with no cure: What is Duchenne muscular dystrophy?  

Duchenne muscular dystrophy is the most common fatal genetic disorder to affect children around the world. 

It stops the body from producing dystrophin – a protein needed to build up muscles. Every muscle in the body then begins to deteriorate until the patient dies.  

Muscular dystrophy is caused by mutations in the genes responsible for the structure and functioning of a person’s muscles.

The mutations cause changes in the muscle fibres that interfere with the muscles’ ability to function. Over time, this causes increasing disability.

There is currently no cure for the disease and death is guaranteed. 

In the UK one in 100 boys is born with it (just one per cent of cases are girls) and 2,500 children currently have it.   

A third of all cases start in the womb with no warning before the baby is born. 

The recommended treatment includes taking steroids and going through physiotherapy.   

Source: NHS

‘We knew that from the age of 18 he was living on borrowed time. So the past two years have been a significant time for us.

‘But it doesn’t make losing him any easier.’

Antony’s funeral took place yesterday in the village of Wesham, Lancashire, at Christ Church.

His mother, father Anthony, 38, sister Sheyenne, and brothers Calvin and Cohen, who also have Duchenne muscular dystrophy, all attended the event.

Mrs McCracken said that Anthony dealt with his looming death very well.

She said: ‘Ant knew he was going to die. He dealt with it very well. He got on with it most days.

‘He’d have the odd day where he’d ask certain things, like ‘will I get better?’ or ‘will I walk again?’ and we would have to tell him no.

‘He only briefly asked them though, and most of the time he was happy.’

A fundraiser was set up in Little Ant’s memory to help pay for his funeral, which cost £4,000, has raised more than £1,000 so far.

His mother said: ‘We’re not a family that makes a lot of money, and it is a lot to ask for, but we were determined to give Antony the funeral he wanted.

‘As a family, we are extremely sad, but in some ways, I’m relieved he’s not suffering anymore, and he’s at peace.

‘Things were very difficult for him towards the end. We knew it was coming. Every day I would dread getting that phone call.

‘It was still a shock when it happened. But we knew he was living on borrowed time.

There aren’t many people who live to 30 with this condition, so we were lucky to have him for the time that we did.

‘I have always cared for Antony, ever since I was 19. It has never been tough for me. It’s something I have always known, and I wouldn’t change it for the world.’ 

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