Seven-year-old Alfie was a cheerful little boy whose smile could brighten even the hardest days. His mother, Lucy Morrison, remembered him as a beautiful child who was full of happiness and personality. But behind that smile, Alfie was fighting a struggle that would eventually devastate his family.

For much of his short life, Alfie experienced serious difficulties with eating and drinking. Mealtimes were not simply challenging; they could become frightening. According to his mother, he sometimes choked, vomited, or became so distressed that he could not eat at all. Even drinking water was difficult, and Lucy sometimes had to place water on his hand so he could lick it.

Lucy repeatedly sought professional help, hoping someone could explain why her son was struggling so severely. Because Alfie was autistic, she felt his eating difficulties were often attributed to his autism rather than investigated as a potentially separate condition.

Tragically, Alfie died at just seven years old from malnutrition.

Only later did his mother learn about an eating disorder she believes had been overlooked throughout his life.

Continue below in Part 2.