Graphic pictures: Inspirational story of man with rare skin condition who suffers blisters similar to third degree burns

James Dunn, 22 was born with recessive dystrophic epidermolysis bullosa

Meet the inspirational man who suffers from a skin condition that is the equivalent of third degree burns that leaves him in constant pain - but he still lives life to the full, playing football and holding down a job. James Dunn, from Whiston, Merseyside, was born with recessive dystrophic epidermolysis bullosa (RDEB) a rare skin condition that causes the skin to blister and tear at the slightest touch. The 22-year-old is bandaged from the neck down to protect his skin but also gets blisters in his eyes and throat, which can cause him serious pain.

The condition causes his skin to tear and blister at the slightest touch and requires bandaging

However he has defied the odds and become an inspiration to sufferers by managing to hold down a job, drive and even play football. Mr Dunn said: 'Sometimes when I get blisters in my eyes I can be in my bedroom for days on end because I just can't see anything - it's agony.
'I take morphine every four hours to stop the pain which makes things better and if I didn't look on the bright side I'd probably just be depressed. I won't let my skin condition define who I am - I want to lead a normal life and that's exactly what I'm doing, my motto in life is YOLO (you only live once).
'I want to travel the world instead of feeling sorry for myself, that's kind of my bucket list.'

James is able to drive a modified car through using a panel of switches to control the vehicle

Mr Dunn has already travelled parts of the world including Las Vegas and South Africa.
He plays power chair football for the Bolton Bullets and works one day a week as a HR administrator.
Mr Dunn's genetic skin condition means any trauma or friction to his skin can cause painful blisters - meaning he is constantly in bandages which he take up to four hours to change. Despite his painful skin, he is living life to the max and trying raising awareness for the illness.
I've got a good life and I can't complain - the unfortunate thing is there's always someone else who is worse off than you.
'My mum is my full time carer and I'm surrounded by friends and family who will always look out for me - I feel blessed if anything.'
EB is caused by faulty genes and in most cases is inherited from one or both parents but sometimes the fault occurs spontaneously. There are many cases when neither parent has the condition but their child does - this happens when both parents are 'carriers' of the faulty genes.

Source: MailOnline