Precious Memories

We’re making every moment count with my boy’s bucket list By Joanne Ashton, 48, from Liverpool

At first I didn’t notice anything was wrong. My son Liam was just like any other baby.

But when he was 2, I noticed his younger cousin seemed to be strides ahead.

While he climbed the stairs, Liam still crawled up and bum-shuffled down.

Our GP referred Liam to a specialist, who noticed he walked funny.

Eventually, Liam was sent to Alder Hey Children’s Hospital.

‘We think he might have muscular dystrophy (MD),’ a doctor said.

It’s a progressive muscle weakening condition.

A blood test soon confirmed it. And a muscle biopsy revealed Liam had a type called Duchenne MD.

It’s more common in boys. And it’d affect his ability to walk and stand.

‘Most sufferers need a wheelchair by the time they’re 14,’ a doctor explained.

The cruellest blow was yet to come, though… 

‘It’s life-limiting,’ he said.