Desperate to walk (From Barry And District News)

Desperate to walk

A BARRY boy left crippled after a horrific accident is still suffering thanks to a three-year hospital waiting list.

Christopher Price, of Severn Avenue, is desperate for doctors to help him walk again - but the 11-year-old, who was hit by a car in 1998, has yet to see a specialist.

His mum Jane claims that he has never had a proper check-up since he came out of a coma and that every time he is due to see someone, his appointment is moved or cancelled.

Jane, 37, who also has a son Daniel, 16, and a daughter Donna, 8, told the News: "Although Chris's ankles weren't damaged in the accident, he lost the use of his legs in hospital due to other complications. Now we're in the dark as to what happens next.

"We were told if Chris was going to walk again properly, he would be there by now - he's had Botox injections, physiotherapy and splints."

But, according to Jane, Chris has had no follow-up appointments to check if any of the treatments have worked.

She said: "The splints positioned his ankles properly but they rubbed him raw. The hospital put him in plaster to see if it would help. When he was due to have it removed, we were told the doctor was too busy moving house to see Chris, but he could have the plaster off anyway.

"When we got there, the inhouse doctor was taking clinic, but only seeing a few people. Chris wasn't one of them."

Plucky Christopher said: "The splints rubbed my skin and made it sore. I had to wear plaster through the summer holidays to see if it would help. But it didn't and the splints still give me blisters."

Jane explained: "I'm sure he needs an operation but feel the NHS don't want to waste money because they don't think it will succeed."

Spokesman for Cardiff and Vale NHS Trust Peter Welsh said: "We have not been contacted by this lady about her son's care, nor have we received a complaint from her.

"This would be the usual channel for patients or their families who want to raise any concerns with us. If she would like to contact us we will certainly review any issues she wants to raise."