Miracle Essex four-year-old to walk 10 miles
The youngster was told he might spend his life in a wheelchair
A boy from Essex who was told he might spend his life in a wheelchair is walking 10 miles for Charity this month.
Four year old William Goodson from Messing, has Angleman syndrome, which has limited his physical and mental development, and was in hospital last week after suffering one of many seizures.
William, who has had over fifty ambulance trips in his short life, and his family are hoping to raise money to help with improvements to his home.
He has a rare syndrome that meant he could have spent his life in a wheelchair, but his Mum Emma says he is “determined” to do this impressive walk.
Despite many trips to hospital with seizures, including one last week, William Goodson’s Mum, Emma, says he is “determined” to complete the walk.
Emma said:
“We have mortgaged ourselves to the hilt and borrowed money all over to do the bare minimum needed to meet Williams needs in the house and currently do not have anything left to finish the garden for him.
"We were told he may never be able to walk so we thought what better way to raise money than for William to demonstrate that he might be able to get to 10 miles.
"William's campaign is inspired by the fact that this little boy tries to bounce back from absolutely anything. If the world was more like William, it would be a better place."
The 4 year old won a highly commended child of courage award at the Pride of Essex 2019 awards.
Emma added:
“William was born in 2016 and it was quickly apparent he had significant health issues. However at the time there was no reason to believe he was neurologically impaired. We have always been a couple to raise funds for charities, we never had a realisation that we were about to become a family ourselves in significant need.
“From conception William suffered seizures and respiratory issues. However we did not realise that some of his odd behaviours and movements were seizures. Now, every time he gets ill, it triggers seizures and he often stops breathing.”
“He is a brave boy with all he’s been through and always bounces back with a giggle and a smile. Even after a seizure if he can!”
Last week, William almost had to be put into an induced coma to stop his seizures, but he and his family are still positive that he will finish the challenge.
The children’s charity Tree Of Hope, are helping the family to fundraise for William. Georgina Lowry, Head of Marketing and Family Support said: “Tree of Hope are really pleased to be supporting the ‘Be More William’ campaign to insure he gets the care and support he so desperately needs.
“This challenge in particular is to fund the garden adaptation project to make sure he is safe when he is outside and doesn’t hurt himself during seizures.”
To visit William’s funding page, go to https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/bemorewilliam-wgoodsongarden