Somhairle is a 4 year old fun loving wee boy who, without any advance warning, was diagnosed with Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy at the age of 3 1/2 .

His parents could see that he was a little slower in walking than other kids, couldn’t really run very well, had trouble climbing stairs and never could jump. He was always falling over as well.    Even seeing this, no one could prepare themselves for the devastating news that he had Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy.

Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy is a cruel muscle wasting condition which, despite ongoing medical research, there is currently no cure or way to reverse it’s horrible effects.  Affecting almost exclusively boys, it is always 100% fatal, but good medical management nowadays see’s more of the boys living into their 20’s.  DMD is rare; for every million people alive in the UK today, 24 have Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy.

Somhairle has to take medication every day now and uses a wheelchair for longer walks and by the time his is around 8-12 he’ll use a powered wheelchair all the time. He loves swimming and being on his bike, however, because of his condition, he hasn’t got the balance or muscle strength for a regular bicycle and the risk of serious injury if he falls off is really high.  Thankfully there are specially adapted or constructed tricyles that he will be able to safely use and enjoy for several years to come.  He’s been measured up for his own TOMCAT FIZZ which will be built for him in lightweight materials with special gearing, braking, seat supports and footplates. The bike is futureproofed with adaptations that can be added as Somhairle’s condition deteriorates.   The bike can also be quickly converted to a tow along behind mum or dads bike for longer trips.

He’s looking forward to starting Primary School after the summer and being able to get out and about safely on his very own custom bike and living life to the full.