Mother’s pride as miracle lad takes first steps
YOUNGSTER WITH RARE SYNDROME ON HIS FEET THANKS TO CHIROPRACTOR
INCH by tentative inch, Mason Graham edges forward on his legs for the first time, having learned how to walk in just four weeks.
The three-year-old suffers from 1P36 Deletion Syndrome, which causes him a variety of problems, including being unable to walk and talk.
Until now, Mason was only able to get around by crawling or being carried by mum Emma English, which caused her to have back problems, forcing her to go and see a chiropractor.
But, amazingly, Dr Jonathan O’Malley was the answer to both of their prayers – and now Mason is up and running for the first time in his life.
Emma, 30, said: “Mason is so much happier now, he’s even sleeping better.
“It’s only been four weeks and he’s walking. It’s really given him that confidence he needed.
“He’s gotten a lot of support from his school as well, so it’s been a real team effort.”
Mason, of Gosforth, Newcastle, was diagnosed at just two years old after his parents noticed he wasn’t hitting certain milestones.
The condition is genetic and, in Mason’s case, is completely random and had nothing to do with either his mum or dad.
The syndrome is extremely rare and Mason is just one of three people in the North East who are believed to have it.
The Hadrian School pupil is missing part of a chromosome and has learning difficulties, so his family were told there was a slim chance of him learning to walk and talk.
“He’s four in May and he weighs three stone so, as you can imagine, I had really damaged my back carrying him around,” Emma said.
“A friend recommended Vitality Chiropractic in Gosforth and said he was the best in the area.
“When I told him how I’d put my back out, he suggested I bring Mason in for him to have a look at.
“Mason was a bit funny at first as he doesn’t like being around new people, but it’s helped him so much.
“It’s not a miracle cure but he has completely realigned his spine and hips. It’s fantastic.”
Emma says young Mason is like a new lad with his new lease of life.
And she hopes that big smile on his face is there for years to come.
“You can just see how happy he is now in his face. It’s great seeing the progression.
“It’s lovely seeing him walking into the chiropractor and how excited he is. He clearly knows it’s helping him, even if he can’t tell me that.”
Emma, who works in admin for Audi Newcastle, added: “I just want to share Mason’s story to let people know that something like this can help them.
“It’s the last thing I would have thought of.
“I think there are a lot of parents of disabled children who don’t really know what to do,
“If we could help someone it would be lovely.”
Dr O’Malley said: “Mason Graham was brought to Vitality Chiropractic by his mother Emma.
“Emma explained to us that Mason has a complex genetic condition named 1P36 deletion syndrome. This is a complex disorder with varying degrees of severity.”
“Mason’s parents brought him to see if we could help his walking, as he had an extremely staggered gait and was very unsteady on his feet.
“Through a course of very gentle mobilisations and pelvic manipulations he has made magnificent progress and is now walking unaided, his foot flare has reduced considerably and he seems a lot more confident in himself.
“All of us at the Vitality clinic look forward to Mason’s visits.
“He is so happy and always smiling.”