Mum's joy as Kieran is able to defy docs

JUST a few years ago Kieran Johnstone's mum could only dream that her son would be able to go on a slide, attend a Beavers group or ride a bike.

But now the youngster, who suffers from a severe debilitating condition, can play like his pals - and it's all down to his mum Ann-Marie. ANN-MARIE has taken North Lanarkshire Council and North Lanarkshire Health Board to an additional support needs tribunal over Kieran's schooling.

She claims they have failed to provide the facilities her son needs to go to mainstream school St Frances of Assisi Primary in Cumbernauld.

His is getting too old for his special school Craighalbert.

Ann-Marie is also involved in a six-year-long action against an English NHS board over claims it was negligent before and during Kieran's birth, causing his condition. If she wins Kieran could get millions of pounds.

June Murray, head of Legal Service for North Lanarkshire Council, said: "North Lanarkshire Council is involved in this particular matter. Tribunal proceedings have been adjourned until June 10 and 11 for evidence to be led."

A spokesperson for NHS Lanarkshire said: "Due to the tribunal process and patient confidentiality we are unable to comment on the details of this individual case."

She spent £50,000 - much of which she raised by selling her house in Cumbernauld - on eight 2000-mile round trips to take Kieran, 8, to a special institute in Hungary where specialists have worked to help him defy the doctors who said he'd never walk.

Ann-Marie, 44, said: "I was told he would never walk. He's come such a long way. He's a young man and very intelligent. He's a character. I'm so proud of him."

Kieran was diagnosed with quadriplegia cerebral palsy when he was just a baby.

And though he still needs a helping hand to move around, it's a miracle he's even on his feet.

Single mum Ann-Marie first noticed something was wrong when her son didn't show any interest in playing with things like other youngsters.

She said: "There was something not right at six months. He wasn't playing with keys and stuff like that. I asked the GP for a look at his records and on the top it said suspected cerebral palsy'. It was like a bombshell to see that."

Over the next few years Ann-Marie said she had to fight to get any help for Kieran - even for the wheelchairs he needed as he grew up.

But when he was three his mum discovered the Peto Institute in Budapest through cerebral palsy charity Scope.

It offers a unique system of teaching for children with motor disorders such as cerebral palsy and spina bifida to improve their independence - and Ann-Marie gave up everything to get her son there.

She moved to a rented house after selling her own three-bedroom home and put the £30,000 profit into the trips.

But it was all worth it. She said: "It's amazing. We went out there for an assessment when he was four and stayed for a whole year.

"He started lifting his head and walking with assistance and initiating rolling on the floor. Normally a quadriplegia cerebral palsy child would be like a foetus with bent arms and legs."

Then, after returning from Budapest, Ann-Marie discovered Craighalbert School, in Cumbernauld on their doorstep.

It follows the principles of the Peto Institute's teaching for children - called Conductive Education - and Kieran started in 2007.

Kieran, who can't talk but communicates through a picture book of symbols and an electronic voice recording device, still goes back to Hungary with his mum twice a year.

Radio Clyde's Cash for Kids appeal has helped pay for the costly trips, which Ann-Marie says are vital.

It's been a tough eight years for her - but now the reward of taking her son to the playpark, to Riding for the Disabled in Summerston or to his music club, makes it all worth it.

Ann-Marie said: "I look at my son and every time he smiles when he achieves something he melts me." Ann-Marie Johnstone is delighted Kieran can play like his pals Kieran was diagnosed with quadriplegia cerebral palsy when he was a baby Mobility treatment at a special institute in Hungary has helped to change Kieran's life TIMES FILE Cerebral palsy is a disorder which affects the control of muscles in the body. It affects one in 400 children in the UK. It can cause stiffness or floppiness of the limbs, odd postures and involuntary movements. Effects range from problems walking, eating, talking or using hands to being unable to sit up without support. Quadriplegia is a form of cerebral palsy that affects all limbs and can also affect mental functions. Causes can be multiple and complex. Studies suggest that cerebral palsy is due mostly to factors affecting the brain before birth. Many sufferers also have epilepsy. Visit www.scope.org.uk or call 0808 800 3333 for info.