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Joseph is such an inspiration to us all

Vicki Holman
14/12/2006

JOSEPH McKeown worships football and would love to play but having battled through four operations to straighten his legs he knows he can't risk it.

The seven-year-old has spastic cerebral palsy in his legs.

He needs splints to walk, has frequent nightmares and mild learning difficulties but is upbeat, determined and inspirational child.

Joseph may not be able to play in the school football team but he attends a mainstream school, Our Lady and St Paul's, where he has made lots of friends who are happy to help him out.

Mum Paula, who lives on Arran Walk, thinks it is vital for disabled people to be supported in mainstream education and in the workplace.

It's a view shared and facilitated by cerebral palsy charities like Scope, which the Heywood Advertiser will support with a sponsored skydive in March next year.

Paula said: "I wanted Joseph to go to a mainstream school because I believe that it helps them with their independence.

"I think if kids go to a special school they carry a label around and it holds them back.

"If children are taught about disabilities at school they take it with them when they grow up and that helps disabled people in the future."

Joseph was born seven weeks early but showed no signs of cerebral palsy until he was two.

He was not able to walk and Paula battled with doctors until he was diagnosed six months later.

Paula said: "When Joseph was diagnosed I thought 'right, I have a child with cerebral palsy and that is it, that is all that can be done'.

"I didn't know anything about cerebral palsy.

"That's why charities like Map and Scope are important, they tell you where to go for help and what to do."

Joseph's cerebral palsy causes the muscles in his legs to be rigid and weak and he has had four operations to help straighten them but he rarely complains.

Paula said: "After the first operation Joseph was very upset with the pain but after the second, third and fourth he sat up smiling.

"He wanted to be up in the play room.

"He helped me through the operations, he is such an inspirational child."

Joseph struggles with co-ordination, particularly in his right arm, and has physiotherapy and occupational therapy to help him and extra help at school.

Joseph's older brothers and sisters, Michael, 12, and Leonie, 10, are also keen to help Joseph.

This is especially true when Paula is feeding her youngest, Hadley, who is two.

Paula said: "Joseph's older brother Michael always wants to help out.

"When he heard about the skydive for Scope he said 'find out about Scope, I'll do the skydiving'."

Cerebral palsy is a condition that varies widely.

While some children may be able to go to school, like Joseph, others with the condition may be completely disabled and unable to feed themselves.

The Rochdale and District office of Scope can be contacted on 0808 800 3333.