Brave Balloch youngster battling arthritis defies odds to walk into school on first day
dailyrecord.co.ukWatching your child walk through the school gates on the first day of primary school is an emotional moment for any parent.But for one Balloch family it was something they feared they wouldn’t get to experience.When Leon Squires was diagnosed with arthritis at just 18 months old after suffering from crippling joint pain, parents Jeff and Andrea feared he wouldn’t be able to enjoy a normal life.The youngster was found to have the condition in almost every joint in his body and was forced to shuffle around, becoming withdrawn as the pain consumed him.But plucky Leon, five, never gave up and last week his parents watched in awe of their brave wee boy as he walked - unaided - into Balloch Primary for the start of his school adventure.Proud mum Andrea told the Lennox: “It was incredible.
Last year we were having to think if we’d be able to send him to school because of his health issues. We weren’t sure if it was something that he’d be able to do.“But since January of this year he’s flourished.“We’ve got his pain under control and that’s allowed him to go into school - just like everyone else.“He was so excited.
There were no tears and no anxiety. He just wanted to go straight in.“His arthritis held him back for so long and he’s not letting anything hold him back now.”Leon, who lives with his parents and big brother Theo, 10, was diagnosed with polyarticular juvenile idiopathic arthritis at just 18 months old - which was first picked up after his parents noticed he was walking with a limp.Andrea explained: “Initially they thought it was an irritable hip that they expected would go away within six weeks.“But it didn’t go away.
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