Shropshire Star

Brave Telford youngster Matthew Cooper a step nearer to coming home

The father of poorly Telford youngster Matthew Cooper says the family have been given planning permission to adapt their home.

Published

About £50,000 has been raised to help the family to bring the 11-year-old back home, after he was left paralysed by illness.

Matthew, from Trench, has been cared for at Birmingham Children's Hospital since August, after he was diagnosed with brain and spinal cancer.

His father Leigh said they have been left "overwhelmed" by the support they have received from local people.

Matthew has brain and spinal cancer and has been paralysed since suffering strokes due to blood pressure issues after surgery to remove tumours.

He is currently undergoing his fifth round of chemotherapy treatment out of a total of eight he will have to undergo and Mr Cooper said his son is doing well.

Matthew has recently been moved to the Teenage Cancer Trust ward at the hospital and Mr Cooper said they are taking him around the ward as often as possible where he can watch people playing games and get him out and about as much as possible.

Mr Cooper said: "We're trying to find things that can improve his motor skills in his hands and arms.

"We are seeing some slight improvements but it is a very, very long process.

"With Matthew we see some real improvements and then he goes for his next round of treatment and that can take him back down again so we have to build him back up.

"I think being at home will make a real difference to him.

"At the moment he has a number of friends who come and see him when they can but it will be a lot better for him at home when his friends can come to see him more because I know that is what Matthew looks forward to. The response from people has been unbelievable.

"We're really overwhelmed because we didn't expect anything at all really."

The family found out they had planning permission for the changes to their home a few weeks ago, and received written confirmation last week.

Though the family are still at the hospital, they have spoken with workers back in Telford who say they are looking to get started on the work at the end of July.

The family are hoping they will be able to bring Matthew home to the adapted home when he finishes his final treatment in November.

Sorry, we are not accepting comments on this article.