Advertisement

Harry springs into action

Harry Barker has trampoline therapy with brother Lloyd.

A child's first steps are one of their mother's happiest moments but imagine if your son had to learn to walk all and over again.

Harry Barker, from Martin, had his last major epileptic seizure two years ago.

It left him in an induced coma, stripped him of his ability to walk and stole from him something that comes even more naturally - his smile.

"He's had six really bad seizures since he was about five years old," Harry's mother Tracie said.

"Each time he has a bad one it knocks him back again. I'm determined to get him walking again."

Harry was diagnosed with epilepsy and chronic pancreatitis years ago but Mrs Barker knew there was more to it.

Finally, on Harry's 12th birthday in December, a specialist identified a chromosome 19p13.2 microdeletion - an extremely rare genetic abnormality.

Cases are so scarce that doctors can only make educated guesses about symptoms and prognosis.

After his last major seizure, Harry went shopping with his mother and saw children playing on a bungee trampoline.

Mrs Barker watched him play on the trampoline, squealing with glee as he whizzed up and down.

When she was told the trampolines would make outstanding rehabilitation tools, she had to have one but they were too costly. Enter Dreamfit, a Perth charity and Telethon beneficiary, which made Mrs Barker's wishes come true.

Dreamfit founder Darren Lomman said Harry's story struck a chord with him and he saw potential in the trampoline design.

Harry has improved to the point he can now take more than 20 consecutive steps.