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A word from James...

My name is James. I am 14 years old. I live with my Dad, sister and twin brother. I also have 2 more sisters and a brother who live with my mum. I love to draw, play on my Playstation, go to the cinema and ride my bike.  I would like to learn how to play the drums. I like having fun with my family and friends.

I was born too early at 27 weeks. There were complications and my brother and I almost didn't make it. I was rushed to Middlesborough Hospital and my brother Thomas stayed at Lancaster Hospital. We were tiny and very poorly, but eventually we became strong enough to go home. 

When I was 12 months old, my parents noticed that there was something wrong with me. I wasn't doing the things my brother was doing and I was diagnosed with Cerebral Palsy a few months later. I also have Chronic Lung Disease and I cant hear very well.

I am sad because my legs don't work. I want to be able to go out with my friends, but being in a wheelchair or using my walking frame means that I cant do the things my other friends do. I get tired very easily, even just getting round school is hard for me. I have to go to the hospital to see specialists quite often and I take medicine everyday to relax my muscles which makes me drowsy at night. I have to wear splints everyday, which is a pain because sometimes they hurt. I crawl to get around at home, but sometimes my dad or grandad have to carry me. I wish they didn't have to. Because I crawl, my knees are sometimes swollen.

When I was 12, my legs were quite strong. I used to try and walk by myself and I could take 15 steps. I heard then that there was an operation I could have that would make my legs work. I was very excited. We went to Newcastle to ask if I would be able to go. My consultant told me it would be good for me to have it done but I had to wait to see another doctor first. I waited and waited.

Now I am 14, my legs are bent and I can no longer take any steps. I need to go in my wheelchair much more, especially in school because the other children have to wait too long for me to get to class. This makes me feel embarrassed. I have physio every day to try and help my muscles which is hard work and tiring.

Now, I am very excited because I have been told by a doctor in America that I can go to his hospital and have the operation. I am scared, but he says that I will be able to walk, I will be able to climb stairs, and sit and stand. I wont need to be carried any more. I will be able to go out with my brother Thomas and do some of the things he does. I know that it will take a long time to learn how to use my legs and i will need lots of physio afterwards. But I know I can do it!

A word form James' family...

As you can probably tell, James is a lovely, fun-loving boy. Most of the time, he is upbeat. He doesn't complain about his condition very much. but recently we have noticed that James does become depressed from time to time. The things that we take for granted are the things that bring him down. He sometimes resents his twin brother because he doesn't have a disability. He tries very hard at school, but he has special needs and doesn't always manage to express himself the way he would like to. His lung disease means that sometimes he is absent from school. James would like to take part in more activities designed for children like him but, unfortunately there just aren't any in our town.

James is ready for something to happen in his life, he needs something to change.

James has Spastic Diplega, It happened during birth and this causes tightness and stiffness form the hip down. The medicine (Baclofen) you heard James mention is also a pain killer. He has pain everyday. You and I may have a sore back or leg from time to time...imagine having that everyday. Yet James very rarely complains. His condition has become worse since we first asked his specialist in Newcastle about the possibility of James having surgery. Unfortunately he was forgotten about, we waited for an appointment to see his orthopedic surgeon for 2 years. We received an apology, and their excuse was 'a lack of communication between departments.'

So now we need your help. Our goal is to raise £60.000 by July 2015. This will fund James for his operation and pay for physio and equipment he will need to get back on his feet. However small your donation is it will take James one more step towards a better quality of life...Priceless! We would like to thank you all in advance for taking the time to read the beginning of James' exciting journey.

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Should we exceed the target amount (or if we do not raise enough funds, or if they can not be used for any other reason) the funds raise will go to the general funds of Tree of Hope to assist other sick children.