12:28pm Wednesday 9th October 2002
By Joseph O Shea
James Haddad's parents are hoping that new pioneering drug treatment previously unavailable in the UK, will restore their son's health, speech and movement, but despite his deteriorating condition, the nine-year-old continues to show remarkable spirit and courage.
James is suffering from an inoperable brain condition, which in recent weeks has progressively impaired his senses leaving him wheel-chair bound, unable to move the right side of his young body, eat solid food or speak.
Robert and Sue are now giving James 24-hour care with professional support, and have devised an ingenious means of communicating with their son.
James uses his left thumb to signal up and down for yes and no, and Robert has printed a card covered with symbols representing various activities, needs or objects that James might want.
His current favourite object is an audio cassette made for him by his classmates and teachers at St Mary's Junior School.
Robert said: "He always wants to listen to the tape, because he gets to hear the news from his friends. It has given him a real boost."
The Haddads are extremely grateful for the understanding shown by staff and pupils at St Mary's Junior School, where head teacher Mrs Anne Pendry has welcomed James back throughout his illness, even for as little as an hour a day.
Last week James made an impromptu request to visit the school, and a quick call to Ms Pendry saw a welcoming party of pupils and staff make his day, by chatting to him in the playground.
The Haddads are now praying that a new course of treatment James has started including pioneering drugs previously only available to children in Boston, USA, will have a marked impact on his condition, and mean he no longer has to travel abroad for treatment.
Sue said: "We hope the treatment is not too late, and that James' disturbing symptoms are the first steps on the slow road to full recovery.
"Treatment abroad has, for now, been postponed, while we anxiously await the results of the new medication."
Fundraising efforts for the James Haddad Appeal have therefore been put on hold.
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