A MUM-OF-THREE was hit with a double whammy when she was told both her husband and her son have a rare chromosome disorder.

Fiona Syddall, aged 36, knew that something wasn't right with her youngest son Jamie, known as JJ, because he struggled to feed and did not sit up until he was 14 months.

Doctors suspected the tot, aged two, had a genetic disorder, so Mrs Syddall, her husband, also called Jamie, aged 43, and JJ were screened — and father and son tested positive for 16p11.2 micro deletion.

People with the disorder, which affects about one in every 3,500 people, usually have developmental delay and intellectual disability, and most have some features of autism.

The couple were scared and unsure about what this would mean for JJ, as he also has scoliosis and sight problems — unlike Jamie whose disorder was not as severe — but thanks to support from a charity called Unique, they are now hopeful for his future.

Mrs Syddall, who also has a son, Alex, aged 14, and daughter Kelsey, aged six, said: "I had an inkling from when JJ was born. I had problems with birth and suffered pre-eclampsia I from nowhere I asked my husband how he would deal with it if we have a child with a disability.

"When he was born he didn't feed for 24 hours so I knew there was something not right. But as the months went on he was still not eating properly, he just had bottles. That's when it became more obvious that there was a problem.

"JJ didn't sit up until 14 months. My eldest son was also delayed in areas so we are looking at getting him tested too. My daughter on the other hand was crawling around at six months."

Since their diagnosis in December last year, the family have been given vital help and support from a charity called Unique.

She said: "I'd not heard of the disorder before so it was a big shock — especially that it ended up being two diagnoses. I thought our lives were going to turn upside down until we got help from Unique.

"The charity has been amazing at helping us cope with the news, and I've even met other families in Bolton who have a child with it, so I know we're not alone."

Mrs Syddall is hosting a charity event for Unique at Highfield Hall Community Centre in Marsh Lane on December 7 — a year after they were diagnosed — and is looking for a magician and local organisations to donate food. To help, contact 07907 773961.