Glasgow mum hopes intense physio treatment 'will let son walk'

Nicola Carey, 36, wants son Beau Pallester to try intense physiotherapy treatment in England to strengthen his muscles and “give him a chance at independence”.

Newsquest, Colin Mearns (Image: Newsquest, Colin Mearns)

The three-year-old, from Whiteinch, suffers from Hirschsprung's disease and Waardenburg-shah syndrome.

The rare conditions affect his bowel and intestine, as well as causing hearing loss and feeding problems.

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He is unable to sit or hold his head up on his own, but mum Nicola is determined to help him boost his mobility and is fundraising for a £7500 three-week course in Manchester.

Newsquest, Colin Mearns (Image: Newsquest, Colin Mearns)

It comes after she saw a “massive difference” in Beau since trying home physio sessions twice a week, so has signed up to PhysioUK's waiting list.

Her long-term goal is to see little Beau manage to navigate on his own with the use of a walker.

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Nicola told the Glasgow Times: “I'm hoping he will be able to sit up on his own. It would be a massive thing for him, or put weight on his feet and walk with a frame eventually.

“It would mean the world to me for him to get some independence. I want him to be able to do things other kids can. I don't want him to be restricted.

“Right now Beau is unable to sit or walk by himself and relies on a feeding pump.

“He's so content and he is such a good-natured wee boy. He just loves to play with his toys.

“I am paying a private physio therapist twice a week and I have seen a massive difference in strengthening his muscles.

“I have joined the waiting list for PhysioUK which will cost around £7500 for a three-week intense course.

“He can be fine one minute and ill the next which makes me worried about the risk of going down to England for treatment, but it could really help him.

“In the meantime, I am looking locally for classes and sessions that he might benefit from.”

Newsquest, Colin Mearns (Image: Newsquest, Colin Mearns)

Nicola first noticed something was wrong when Beau refused to take any milk when he was first born in February 2020 which triggered alarm bells.

He was sent for tests where it was discovered he had Hirschsprung's disease, which is a rare condition that causes poo to become stuck in the bowels.

They also discovered his Waardenburg syndrome, which is a group of genetic conditions that can cause hearing loss and changes in pigmentation of the hair, skin and eyes.

The youngster was constantly in and out of hospital, then during one admission caught bronchitis and was on a ventilator, which damaged his windpipe meaning he needed surgery.

Newsquest, Colin Mearns (Image: Newsquest, Colin Mearns)

It means the youngster has had 18 operations in his life so far but has now been out of hospital since December 2021, the longest he has been discharged since birth.

Nicola is now focusing on his health and adjusting him to living outside of hospital wards.

She has also set up a fundraiser to help her pay for sessions to improve Beau’s quality of life.

She explained: “I just need to try everything to help him. This is his first winter out of hospital, so I want to build up his immune system and give him the best quality of life.

“He has only been out of hospital since December, so we have been trying to help him get used to his new surroundings.

“He struggles going in and out his pram and even with daylight as it is all things he isn’t used to.

“I set up the GoFundMe to just help pay for the private physio treatment and so if we move up on the waiting list and Beau is well enough, we would be ready to go.

“I am also looking at hippotherapy which would see him sit on horses to help his muscles.”