Teenager trapped inside his own body
A DISABLED teenager "trapped inside his own body" is in desperate need of a new wheelchair to prevent him from losing the only liberty he has left.
Thomas Crossling suffers with muscle-wasting disease Muscular Dystrophy, and his lifeline is his wheelchair which he relies on for mobility every day.
However, the motorised chair the 18-year-old has used for the past eight years is now too small for him.
Around 4,000 is needed to buy a new chair for Thomas – who is only able to move his fingers and some muscles in his face – to give him the quality of life and freedom he deserves.
His aunty Tracy Connolly, 44, a self-employed cleaner from Hamilton Road, in Hartlepool, said: "Thomas has had this condition since birth and it has gradually got worse and worse.
"He can only move his fingers and some muscles in his face and he can talk, but very quietly.
"He can't actually move his body himself and has to be hoisted from his bed to the wheelchair which he relies heavily on to give him the freedom he needs.
"It's so sad because to me he's trapped in his own body because he is very able-minded.
"He likes to be around fit and able people because he's not mentally disabled.
"I don't want him to be stuck in a corner, he needs his freedom and mobility to get out."
Thomas lives in Ross Grove, with his full-time carer parents, Sharon Connolly, 47, and Gavin Crossling, 48, and his two younger brothers Robert, 15, and John, 12.
He attended Manor College of Technology, in the town's Owton Manor Lane, and completed some GCSE exams despite having to undergo a serious operation when he was 16.
The surgery - which took him a year to recover from - saw a metal rod inserted into his back to keep him upright.
The determined youngster is due to start a graphic design course at Hartlepool College of Further Education next week.
Tracy said: "Thomas needs a sturdy chair that's suitable for in and outdoor use and he needs it now while he's still got some quality of life.
"He always tries to get out and about. We go to The Park Inn on Tuesday nights for the open mic night and he's made friends with some of the men there.
"
He's also due to start college next Monday and this chair isn't going to last him much longer. He has to squeeze into it, so he really needs a new one.
"We can't just leave him because this disease will see him get worse and worse until eventually he's bed-ridden."
Tracy's friend's daughter Amy-Lee Webster, 18, is hoping to kick-start the fundraising for Thomas's new chair by taking part in the Conga4Wonga, which starts at 2pm from Seaton Carew's Sandy car park on Sunday.
Participants will don fancy dress outfits and conga their way from Seaton to Hartlepool Marina in aid of their own charities.
Tracy, who is hoping to organise a charity night, added: "It's so kind of Amy-Lee to do this and we're hoping it's the start of more fundraising to come."
Anyone who would like to donate towards Thomas's new wheelchair can contact Tracy on 07727193352.
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Friday 25 May 2012
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