Anguish of mum who lost disabled son aged just 22
Mum tells of anguish as inquest opens into death of young man with rare disorder
AN inquest has opened into the death of a 22-yearold disabled man who suffered from a rare metabolic disorder.
Billy Longshaw of Heaton Norris, was born with D-2-hydroxyglutaric aciduria, a condition that causes progressive damage to the brain and affects muscle tone, speech, vision and memory.
He died at home on March 7 this year.
At a pre-inquest review at Stockport Coroners Court, Coroner Chris Morris gave a deadline of August 9 for the NHS Trust to formerly confirm whether or not any internal investigations are to be undertaken and provide a time scale for completion.
He asked Coroners Officer, Mrs Kate Nottman to enquire about a review with Stockport Metropolitan Borough Council to see if any investigation for vulnerable young adults and people with learning disabilities was to be undertaken.
Mr Morris confirmed he will also be requesting a report from an independent consultant surgeon.
Evidence from police coroners officer Dave Wood, senior nurse Jane Carpenter, legal manager for the Great Western Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust Lesley Biles and Coroners officer Kate Nottman will all be heard at the inquest, to be scheduled for next year.
Mr Morris will also be collecting statements from triage nurses and medical staff who cared for Billy.
He said a pathologists report indicated Billy had died of an acute bowel obstruction and heart problems.
Billy’s parents Caroline and Gary Bird were in attendance and an emotional Mrs Bird said: “He loved riding his bike.
“He was a character, he was funny, he was over six foot but he was still our baby.”
She said she had a record of achievements for Billy, which showed off all he could do and said: “He made the best of his life.”
Coroner Mr Morris arranged to meet with Mr and Mrs Bird again in August when evidence would again be reviewed.
In 2015, aged 17, Billy was subjected to a vicious attack by a group of teenage thugs.
While visiting the shops for his mum he was confronted by two boys and a girl - and the ring leader viciously kicked him from his bike.
He fell to the floor and the yob only halted the attack when a teenage girl shouted at them to stop and called the police.
Police took Billy and his broken bike home but on the way he spotted his attacker, who was later charged.
The attack was said at the time to have set Billy back and made him fearful to go out.
His story touched hearts and a crowd funder was set up to buy him a new bike.