LITTLE Fred Ramsay feels no pain.

This is just one of the many ways this loveable mite from Rockhampton is different from other one year olds.

Fred is a one in a million kid, well almost. He has been diagnosed with an extremely rare genetic condition Phelan-McDermid Syndrome, which is prevalent in 2.5 people out of every million.

Looking at the tiny dynamo, he is the picture of good health with a warm smile and always ready to give out big hugs but Fred Ramsay is a very sick boy who may not progress much further in development than where he sits now. His future is very uncertain – he may never walk, run or jump or sing a song.

It is difficult for mum Lisa Pyper to get a handle on how Fred feels each day as he has little reaction to pain or discomfort and has no communication skills.

“He has had serious infections and does not exhibit being uncomfortable until these have progressed to severe cases,” she told The Courier-Mail.

“Then he goes downhill very fast.”

Most people with PMS are missing a segment of the 22 chromosome and have moderate to severe developmental and intellectual impairment.

“Fred has no words and most PMS kids do not develop functional language,” said Ms Pyper, a child youth mental health officer.

“He has never slept for longer than a few hours at a time. There can be problems with swallowing and eating.

“The worst part is the children regress in ability.”

Both Lisa and husband Michael are New Zealand-born, and while Fred was born in Australia he is not considered an Australian citizen and therefore not eligible for government funding or National Disability Insurance Scheme assistance.

“It’s frustrating; we pay the Medicare levy but can’t get help,” Ms Pyper said.

Just one intensive therapy treatment for Fred carries a $6000 bill.