An eight-year-old boy from Orpington who was told he would never independently walk after his cerebral palsy diagnosis is set to conquer a remarkable challenge - climbing Mount Snowdon.
On August 26, Hudson McGeehan will be joined by 36 people, including another young girl with cerebral palsy, as well as his family and friends.
Hudson has been training diligently for his biggest fundraising challenge yet and he is determined to show everyone what he is capable of.
His mum Claire McGeehan told the News Shopper: “He's definitely up for the challenge. He's probably the most resilient kid I know.
“He is our real-life superhero.”
Hudson, who was diagnosed with diplegic spastic cerebral palsy at just 18-months-old, defied the odds and learned to walk independently after undergoing spinal surgery and intense physiotherapy.
His journey began when his parents noticed that he wasn't reaching the developmental milestones expected for his age as struggled with sitting, crawling and walking.
Concerned, his parents took him for an MRI scan, which confirmed the diagnosis of cerebral palsy and his future appeared to be limited to a life reliant on specialist equipment for mobility.
Claire explained: “We were informed that he would never walk independently - he would always need specialist equipment to support him but fast forward seven years and Hudson is now able to walk independently, and he is taking on Mount Snowdon.”
In February 2020, Hudson underwent groundbreaking Selective Dorsal Rhizotomy (SDR) surgery at Great Ormond Street Hospital.
The procedure involved cutting fibres in his spinal cord to reduce the spasticity in his feet and ankles.
This allowed him to place his feet on the ground and take steps, but it also meant he had to relearn basic motor skills such as sitting, crawling, and walking.
After years of intensive therapy, including countless physiotherapy sessions, tendon surgeries, and the use of leg splints, Hudson can now walk independently.
Claire said: “Sometimes I look back and wonder where he would be now had there not been any intervention or the operations on his tendons.
“He wouldn't even be he would be able to do more than five or six steps.”
However, his treatment and equipment have been costly, and his family has now spent more than £28,000 to ensure he receives the best possible care as some treatments are not covered by the National Health Service (NHS).
His family have been collaborating with Just4Children, a charity which helps with fundraising support for families to help their children with disabilities and sickness.
You can support Hudson on his climb via his GoFundMe page.
Hudson’s family have ran numerous fundraisers for Hudson in the past and are now taking on Snowdon to help support him with any future treatment or physio he may need.
When asked what advice Claire would give to parents first hearing about a diagnosis she said: “I would just say have no preconceptions because their determination and their resilience is just phenomenal - I would say that don't ever think anything is impossible.
“The world of social media is great for support so join some Facebook groups and reach out to different families to build a network – just put yourself out there.
“I think for the children meeting other children that are like them is really important.
“A few years ago, we met an Australian family that had come over here for the same surgery which is really quite rare, and we got in contact with them through social media and we ended up going to London Zoo.
“The first thing Hudson first thing said was ‘He's just like me’ and for him to see there are other children out there like him I just think it is quite special.”
She explained that Hudson has a love for superheroes, particularly Spiderman, and also loves football and is a big West Ham supporter – he tries to get involved in any way he can with games and enjoys being goalie.
Claire praised the Freddie Farmer Foundation in Bromley which has played a crucial role in Hudson's progress by providing intensive courses for him as well as his physiotherapist, Connie, who has been instrumental in guiding him towards his goals.
Connie will also be supporting Hudson on the climb which Claire estimates will take around five and a half hours with plenty of stops and massages.
Claire works at Hudson’s school, Warren Road Primary School in Orpington, and sang the praises of the children there and how supportive his class are.
She explained “A lot of them have also - it's really cute - sent good luck videos that I'm going to put all together in like a big montage to show him on the morning of the climb.
“His class has been have been amazing. When they go on school trips, they push him in the wheelchair and they have been alongside him during some previous fundraisers.”
His best friend Isla has also been a constant source of support and encouragement since they were born just five weeks apart and his younger brother Jesse often accompanies him during physiotherapy sessions cheering him on throughout the process.
As Hudson prepares to ascend Mount Snowdon, he embodies the spirit of a real-life superhero, ready to conquer challenges and prove that limitations can be overcome.
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