TEEN TAKES FIRST STEP AFTER BEING TOLD HE’D NEVER WALK
A15-YEAR-OLD boy who was paralysed from the chest down has taken his first step after travelling to Australia for life-changing treatment. Cameron Hudd was diagnosed with neuroblastoma, a spine tumour, in 2007 when he was just three months old.
At the time, his parents Catherine, 43, and Robert, 43, were told he would never be able to walk and be paralysed for life.
But that was all to change after his dad watched a news report of an Australian therapist, Ken Ware, who helped a man who had been seriously injured in the Manchester Arena bombing to gain the use of his legs again.
In May 2020 Cameron’s parents called Ken, who told them he believed he could help.
Due to lockdown, the family have only recently been able to travel to Australia for Cameron’s treatment and within the last six weeks, his progress has gone well.
Robert said: “It’s just remarkable – he’s now able to crawl.
“We went to see a specialist the year he was born and told that he had a massive tumour and would never walk, and after waiting 15 years for this, you just can’t put it into words.”
Catherine said in the UK they have a “good team” around Cameron, but he only goes to physio three to four times a month, which doesn’t compare to the intense eight-week treatment in Australia.
She said Cameron found it difficult to lie down on his back due to being in a wheelchair from 16 months old, and he had one leg significantly shorter than the other.
But since the new treatment, his legs are now virtually the same length, and he now has a straight posture after weeks of “stretching him out”.
She added: “When you’re a parent, the first things you look out for and grab your phone for are the first words your children say, the first sit up they do, and the first crawl they do – I had none of this with Cameron until now.
“I saw my son crawl for the first time at 15, I babbled like a little baby myself. The things that he is doing now are unbelievable.”
She added that they have been working on his stomach muscles, which have been weak until now.
She said: “Cameron used to have to get a little stool to help him back into his wheelchair if he fell off, he can literally transfer himself from the floor into his chair with one movement.
“He could not hold up his two arms in the air – whilst sitting on the floor or his chair – without losing his balance after 10 seconds, now he’s shadowboxing for minutes at a time.
“When we get back, he’s going to start at his sister’s boxing club.”
Catherine has also seen a huge change in his mind, wellbeing and confidence.
Since being in Australia, she realised how much people take for granted each day, such as tying their shoes and getting in the shower – things that take hours for Cameron.
But now, thanks to this treatment, it will make daily tasks easier for him.
She added: “The difference with such a little simple thing but giant leaps for Cameron and us as a family.
“Every morning he wakes up like a little boy in a candy shop.
“He doesn’t want to have a break and is so determined.”
Cameron also took his first step while in treatment, and the family looks forward to what the future holds for his progress.
His mum has videoed all of his treatment to continue his progress and routine back home in the UK.
The family will return home on Saturday and hope to go back to Australia next year after saving up for another round of treatment.
The treatment alone costs £22,000, along with the cost of flights, accommodation, hire car, spending money and food.
She said: “We’ve had great support from the local community raising money and family but his dad had been working seven days a week from 5am to 7pm just to make sure we were financially okay out here as well. So to spend this time together has been uplifting for Cameron too.”
Robert said: “I wouldn’t care if it cost a million quid, I would work 16 hours a day if I could make a difference to Cameron’s life.”
He added: “One of the guys working up there with Ken was holding Cameron’s knees steady and he actually pulled himself up into a standing position – it was mind blowing and so worthwhile.”