19/12/2007

Luke Anthony is refusing to let his life-long battle with Cystic Fibrosis, which caused him to go suddenly blind when he was 10, get him down.

With the support of his specialist Rhondda Cynon Taf Council community support worker, Luke has overcome the odds to continue his love of football.

Mum Claire explained: "I have a little boy who wants to play football and who am I to stop him? Luke should be credited for the way he has adapted to losing his sight so suddenly.

"It has not stopped him and he uses his memory where he needs to. He excels at school and was student of the year last year and he excels at football.

"Nothing can stop him, he runs around the home and outside and when he bumps into something he chuckles, who put that there? before carrying on. We are so proud of him."

Regular training recently led to him setting up the goal that secured his team the title of Best Under 12 Visually Impaired Team in the UK.

But Luke, of Taff's Well, is refusing to settle until he is taking shots at the goal at Old Trafford alongside Wayne Rooney, Ryan Giggs, Ronaldo and the rest of his Manchester United heroes.

Luke is one of 120 children across RCT who benefit from the specialist services of the Council's 1 in 7 Team, which provides support for those aged 0-18 who have disabilities.

The 1 in 7 team supports children & young people to access community based activities within their own communities and amongst their peers. The range of activities varies widely, such as access to recreation activities and uniform clubs such as brownies etc. The support normally takes place after school, on weekends and during the school holidays, working in partnership with voluntary organisations, health and education services.

Luke, who attends Bryncelynog School and was named pupil of the year last year, was born with Cystic Fibrosis and was so poorly, there were fears he would not live.

He beat the odds to pull through but was dealt another blow in 2005 when, at the age of 10, he went blind within the space of three months.

Always a football fanatic, Luke took the support of 1 in 7 who researched sports opportunities for him and were able to identify an opportunity for him to play at Swansea City.

Luke's dedicated support worker, Darren Young, drives him to Swansea for every practice session, enabling 12-year-old Luke to develop his skills and fulfil his love of the game.

Earlier this year, Luke was part of a team representing Swansea that travelled to London to play teams from Tottenham and Arsenal. Luke set up the winning goal that took Swansea to victory over Arsenal and he was allowed to take home the trophy as a reward.

Luke will celebrate again soon when he joins his team for a half-time lap of honour at the Liberty Stadium during a league match.

Despite his ongoing health battle, Luke's strength of character and determination are an inspiration and testament to the people around him.

Mum Claire said: "I cannot praise Darren, his support worker enough. Secretly, although one is an adult and the other is a child, they are the same and Luke respects Darren for that.

"They share interests and it is nice for my son to have a mentor, a qualified specialist who can help him be whatever he wants to be. Darren has worked wonders and the time and effort he invests in my son has enabled him to carry on."

Cllr Annette Davies, Cabinet Member for Children and Equality, said: "Luke is an inspiration to us all and we all congratulate him for setting up the recent winning goal.

"I am pleased we are able to offer the services and, importantly, the specialist staff, that enable young people to succeed in whatever they want to do, irrespective of their age, background or ability.

"Luke continues to pursue his interest and his dream and has overcome adversity in order to do so. We look forward to seeing him on the pitch of Old Trafford very soon."

Access to services offered from 1 in 7 follows an assessment by the disabled children's services. For more information, contact 01443 444300