Jamie travels round the world for vital treatment

BRAVE little Dunfermline boy Jamie Tierney has completed a gruelling trip to South America for vital treatment to help slow down his muscle-wasting illness.

The three year-old was diagnosed with Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy (DMD) earlier this year.

Since then, his parents Bobbie and Jamie have been fundraising to pay for the trips which will see him flying out to undergo three bouts of infusion treatment every year.

Having already raised over £35,000, the family headed out last week for their first 26-hour journey which they hope will help improve his quality of life.

Bobbie admitted that the experience was much harder than they had expected.

“We went away and in our head and hearts, we thought it was going to be a really great moment,” she told the Press. “We were on such a high getting a treatment but, apart from the day he got his diagnosis, it was the hardest day. It was so tough.

“The journey was 26 hours with three flights. The first flight, we had flown to London. He turned unwell in London and we got to the room at 1am and he was sick all night. Then he picked up and the flight wasn’t until later that night so we made that.

“The doctors checked him over and said he would be fine for the treatment and treatment day came. We were so anxious.

“He was brilliant. He didn’t even cry. He just sat there. He noticed the needle after a couple of minutes but we were so proud of him. He totally smashed it.

“It was tiring, it was gruelling but it was worth it. We have given Jamie the first dose of treatment that will slow down the disease.”

Although at very early stages, the Tierneys have already seen signs that it could have made a difference.

“Because Jamie is so young, he cannot understand as much. There were other boys who get this treatment from all over the world and they can tell straight away,” she said.

“Some were on the trip at the same time as us and they say they get a better range of movement and their muscles feel stronger and they are full of energy.

“We were not expecting to see much from the first treatment because obviously as soon as it goes in, it goes to the vital places.

“After the second treatment, we are hoping to see a bigger difference. We are getting blood tests and things so hoping we will be able to see something from some of his results.

“Watching him, we have noticed he seems to be a bit stronger. He is going a scooter now but he could never do that before and is going up and down our hall on it!

“For us, this is massive. So we are seeing smaller changes just now.”

Since his diagnosis, Bobbie and husband Jamie have been astounded by the kindness of people who have wanted to help their son.

Several fundraisers have already taken place with more – including a charity ball in November – planned.

“It is all amazing,” she said. “Sharing awareness is everything but the money is going to save our son. For people doing this off their own back, it is honestly overwhelming.

“We are in shock daily with the generosity, the messages and phone calls and random people we would never have crossed paths with in our lives. It is amazing.”

Anyone wanting to help with fundraising can visit https://gofund.me/05e6b79f or find out more through the Wee Jamies Journey Facebook page.