Cumbernauld kid Keiran’s back from Budapest

BACK from Budapest and living more independently - that is Cumbernauld boy Kieran Johnstone.

The 10-year-old from Craigmarloch appeared in our paper back in June after we announced that he would travel to Hungary for specialist treament.

Kieran, who has cerebral palsy and uses a wheelchair, was part of an international summer school being held at the groundbreaking Peto Institute - and travelled out with his mum Ann Marie.

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Here the methods of so-called Conductive Education swung into play - a learning process which aims to improve movement.

The benefits of the treatment have manifested themselves already - as Keiran overcame hurdles like sitting up without support, supporting himself on a ladder, easing himself into a swimming pool unaided and being able to climb back into his wheelchair independently.

It has made life a lot easier for Kieran as he returns to Stanmore House School in Lanark which is run by Capability Scotland.

Kind-hearted Cumbernauld Taxis who run him there plus the Glasgow-based Teddy Bear Foundation paid for Keiran to attend the sumer school - and Ann Marie believes that their £1800 contribution was very well spent.

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She said: “It is magical to see what Keiran can do now. It is amazing to see how he has come on.

“The group itself was from all over the world. There were children there from Nigeria, Azerbaijan, America and Ireland and some were as old as 16.

“Being put in a group with older children made him push himself that bit more,’’ said Ann Marie - who already intends to bring Kieran back to the summer school next year.

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