Student whose life was changed by Mirror readers celebrates 18th birthday

Ben Baddeley has gone from strength to strength after Mirror readers raised the £20,000 needed for his surgery and physiotherapy treatment

A student whose life has been transformed by the kindness of Mirror readers is celebrating his 18th birthday today.
Brave Ben Baddeley, from Staffordshire, faced life in a wheelchair from the age of nine after his surgery for cerebral palsy resulting from Tory cuts was withdrawn.
After reading of his plight, generous Daily Mirror readers helped raise the £20,000 needed for private surgery – and rallied again to help when he needed physiotherapy treatment.
Ben’s proud mother Amy, 37, kept a video journal of his progress as he built his strength and endurance, including through underwater running sessions.
Now her son is planning college and hopes to learn to drive. Amy said: “His college work is fantastic and his grades are excellent.
“He is now looking at university and is really looking forward to it. He is currently waiting for his provisional driver’s license and is really looking forward to the driving lessons.
“He is now looking at university and is really looking forward to it. He is currently waiting for his provisional driver’s license and is really looking forward to the driving lessons.
“His mobility is fantastic and as always he works hard with strength training to maintain his mobility level and continue to be strong and independent. He has a bright future ahead of him.”
Get the news you want straight to your inbox. Sign up for a Mirror newsletter here
In 2014, Ben was about to undergo life-changing Selective Dorsal Rhizotomy (SDR) surgery at Queen’s Medical Center in Nottingham. But after 18 months on the waiting list, it was cancelled. Ben’s caregiver father Gary, 46, and Amy began raising funds for the surgery and Mirror readers keenly lent a helping hand.
Actor Martin Sheen was so moved by our story that he donated £2,000 to support the vital campaign.
We first introduced Ben from Silverdale, Staffs, in 2011 when he was playing football with his friends and little brother Joshua, 13. His cerebral palsy meant he suffered from neural shortfalls that caused his leg muscles to constantly tighten. In the SDR, non-functioning nerves were severed and the healthy ones were left intact.
It helped get his legs moving again so he could walk.
Ben’s physio wasn’t paid for by the NHS so Amy and Gary had to raise a further £37,000 on a GoFundMe page. The youngster has thanked Mirror readers who have supported him and his parents for their tireless fundraising efforts over the years.
After his long struggle and brave fight, Ben now hopes to study computer programming.
Continue reading
Continue reading
https://www.mirror.co.uk/news/uk-news/schoolboy-who-life-transformed-mirror-27127808 Student whose life was changed by Mirror readers celebrates 18th birthday