Paul in his walker.
A little boy who couldn’t walk a year ago is now refusing to allow his mother to park her car in disabled bays – because he is standing on his own two feet.
Brave Paul Doherty, 6, underwent life-changing surgery in America after the people of Donegal raised more than €70,000 to help fund the operation.
Even his hero Daniel O’Donnell backed the campaign and played a concert free-of-charge to help Paul have the Selective Dorsal Rhizotomy surgery.
Now almost a year to the day since his surgery, Paul, from Gleneely in Co Donegal, cannot only walk but has a six pack most gym fanatics would be jealous of.
His dedicated mum Anne Marie laughs that he now refuses to accept he has any disability.
Anne-Marie told Donegal Daily “He told me the other day that he didn’t want me to park in the disabled spot because he can walk now.
A selfie at the beach with the Doherty family.
“Paul has changed so much since he had the surgery. He cycles outside with his brother and sister, he goes on adventures with them and gets even into more mischief!
“None of this would have been possible if it were not the for the support shown to Paul and the countless number of supporters for his Mammy, I Want to Walk fund”
“Days spent in a wheelchair are really a thing of the past. His walker is mostly what he uses now. Paul will be seven in a few days. There is a whole lot of growing (and walking) left to do.”
As each month has passed, Paul has got steadily stronger. His steps have become more confident and concise. He can walk further and further as each week passes.
He achieved a milestone when he walked up to Santa at Christmas to tell him what he wanted and a few weeks later he walked to the Christmas tree on Christmas morning with brother Luke and sister Ava.
Mum Anne-Marie and dad Michael know they still have a long road ahead of them and each day brings its own challenges.
“He continues to have 5-6 hours of intensive conductive therapy (a type of physiotherapy) each day. Paul has a 6 pack most 30 year old’s would envy. His core strength has improved greatly.
“It’s an ongoing journey but we always knew deep down in our hearts that he would make it. He is such a brave boy and in five years he has gone through what most people wouldn’t go through in a lifetime. Nothing can hold him back,” added proud Anne-Marie.
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