Appeal to raise money for special sports powerchair for boy with muscle-wasting condition

The family of a young Middleton boy with a muscle-wasting condition are hoping to raise over £7,000 for a special sports powerchair.

Harrison Taylor, 11, was diagnosed with Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy, a genetic condition which causes progressive muscle degeneration, in January 2012 when he was four.

According to the Muscular Dystrophy Association, Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy was first described in the 1860s by French neurologist Guillaume Benjamin Amand Duchenne. Until the 1980s, little was known about the cause of any kind of muscular dystrophy.

In 1986, MDA-supported researchers identified a particular gene on the X chromosome that, when mutated, leads to DMD. In 1987, the protein associated with this gene was identified and named dystrophin. Lack of the dystrophin protein in muscle cells causes them to be fragile and easily damaged.

Harrison’s mum, Nicola Chapman said: “The condition is really cruel: it gives children the opportunity to start doing all the ‘normal’ things children should do, like walking, running, jumping, playing football, riding a bike and then slowly but surely rips the ability to do all these things away.

“Harrison has struggled with school as he never felt he fit in because he was different and couldn’t keep up with his peers. He has struggled a lot with worry and anxiety over the last few years and believed he would never achieve anything in his life.”

Harrison lost the ability to walk in September 2018 and as of January 2019 can no longer lift his arms to feed himself.  

Nicola added: “This has had a massive impact on Harrison's confidence but is something we have been working hard on with him to give him a bit of hope and happiness, and help him to see he does have a future and good thing to look forward to.”

Harrison, who lives with mum Nicola, dad Chris Taylor, and their dog, George, plays for the powerchair football team Manchester City in the Community, after taking up the sport in May 2017.

Nicola said: “Chris was looking for something for Harrison to do outside of school as he had no hobbies and never felt he fit in. He saw a post on social media about powerchair football and looked up our closest club on the wheelchair FA website.

“Harrison started training in May 2017 and loved it as soon as he got into the chair. The two coaches who run the club are amazing at what they do and have helped Harrison build his confidence and to become a really good player. He never like to miss a training session or a match and has also made some friends there too.”

Now a pupil in year six at Middleton Parish School, Harrison, aims to compete at a higher level of the sport with the help of a new powerchair from America.

The chair, a Strikeforce, is specifically designed for powerchair football with faster acceleration and is the most advanced chair available.

So far, the family’s crowdfunding page has raised £1,585 towards the £7,880 cost of the chair.

Additionally, Harrison’s best friend from school, Cameron, is being sponsored over the next half term week for not playing any video games.

Nicola added: “Cameron and Harrison have a special bond as they both have extra needs at school.

“Cameron is so helpful to Harrison: he looks after him at lunchtimes, opening Harrison’s packed lunch for him, opening doors and just being there for him.”

To donate towards Harrison’s powerchair, please visit:

• www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/harrisontaylor