The family of a Derry teenager with a life-shorting condition were told that he would end up in a wheelchair, unable to walk by aged eight.
But this weekend, Niall O'Doherty, 15, will take on a sponsored walk from Derry's Bay Road to the Peace Bridge to raise awareness of his condition, Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy.
Niall's parents Deborah and Kevin have been fundraising to raise funds for vital research into the condition and Deborah told MyDerry of their pride in Niall taking on this challenge.
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Deborah said: "Niall is so excited for the walk he cannot wait. It will be such an emotional day. His younger sister Eimear trained him day in and day out for this walk, she is brilliant and helped him every day getting ready for it.
"It is not easy, days like tomorrow are hard when we know what he is doing it for. It breaks my heart but I have to be a brave mammy and get up and get on with it. When you’re told your son has a life-shortening condition with a life expectancy of 18-20 years, every year that passes you wonder what is going to happen. But we keep fighting for more research to work towards a cure.
"He came up with the idea for the walk all by himself. We have had so many donations and sponsor money, the phone hasn’t stopped. The people of Derry are phenomenal, they would give you their last penny."
Deborah described the long and challenging journey that her family have been through since Niall's diagnosis.
She said: "We did not know much about Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy when Niall was diagnosed at 15 months. It was out of the blue, I noticed Niall wasn’t reaching milestones like sitting up on his own and I was concerned. We took him to the doctors and one day they phoned to come out and talk to us.
"Our lives were turned upside down; we were devastated. For weeks we weren’t even functioning right we were going to bed crying it was horrendous. After a year I had to just shake myself and started fundraising and have been fundraising ever since. My husband Kevin would run marathons and I would fundraise with things like getting my hair shaved off. Every penny goes to London into research.
"We were told that Niall would be in a wheelchair by age 8 and would not be able to walk. He does have struggles walking on stairs, getting in and out of the car but doctors are amazed he is still on his feet. He is an inspiration to all of us, he is the life and soul of the house, he is the happiest wee boy ever and keeps us going making us laugh every day."
Deborah spoke full of pride for her young son who has surpassed the challenges put in front of him.
She said: "He was on the radio and he made me the proudest mammy in the world, he spoke so openly about his condition I was mesmerised. I always say to him just because you have a disability does not mean you can't do what you want in life and be what you want to be and that was the message he was sending out yesterday.
"Tomorrow is going to be a fantastic day. He got a video message this morning from James McClean who he absolutely idolises, Niall is football mad and we would go to every Brandywell match. If people could give Niall a few minutes of their day tomorrow to support him it would mean the world. Anyone looking to donate can contact me at 07927400670.
"Any family who has gotten a diagnosis, do not think that if you are told your child will be in a wheelchair at a certain age that they definitely will be. Niall is living proof of it, he used to run cross country in primary school. Our children can do it, listen to medical advice and encourage your child. If we had given up on him he would not be able to walk today."
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