A boy with an incurable disorder had a special birthday party before undergoing a major operation.
Joshua Jessop shared his eleventh birthday party with sister Summer-June, who is ten. The pair’s birthdays were just a week apart.
The party was science-themed and featured lots of slime and dry ice.
Joshua, from Richmond, has Duchenne muscular dystrophy, which is expected to reduce his lifespan.
The party was held just days before Joshua underwent bilateral Achilles lengthening and tendon release surgery.
Mum Karen Jessop said it was hoped the surgery would keep him walking for longer.
She added: “Unfortunately the success rate isn’t brilliant and it may go completely the opposite direction which means he could be wheelchair bound much sooner than expected.
“Any surgery has it’s complications but for a child with Duchenne muscular dystrophy, the risk is so much greater as it can have a massive affect on the heart and lungs so has to be closely monitored.”
“With the support of the specialist neuromuscular team at the Great North Children’s hospital in Newcastle, we’re hoping for a good result.
“In the past week alone there have been four boys whom we know about who have died from heart and respiratory issues so making plans for future magical memories is definitely something we’re looking at now.”
Joshua’s family have created a wish list of things the little boy would like to do before his illness makes them impossible.
An appeal has been launched to pay for a helicopter ride, which is one of the things on the list.
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