LITTLE George Tappenden is two years old today and is as bubbly, bright and cheeky as any child his age.
But tragically George, of Wydehurst Road, Addsicombe, will never be able to walk unaided and will need constant care throughout his life.
This week, his parents once again expressed their gratitude to generous Advertiser readers who raised £21,000 to buy him a Snap Dragon wheelchair.
But doting mum Lucy Frost also expressed frustration at the level of support she receives from the council and the financial pressures of caring for her son.
George was diagnosed with spinal muscular atrophy aged 14 months last October.
SMA is a wasting disease which has deprived George of all the movement in his legs.
He has SMA type 2 – the second worst type – which means he could live for anything from eight years old to into his 20s.
Lucy, 33, said George's wheelchair had allowed him to sit and stand unsupported for the first time in his life.
"The Advertiser readers were incredible and I'm so thankful to them and to everyone else who has helped us out and got in touch," she said.
But Lucy said it was a constant frustration to have to focus on raising money for "things for George which every kid should have the right to".
She added: "Any parent of a child with a disability should spend their whole lives supporting their child but I have to jump through all these different hoops.
"I can't work and I have to give George my constant care. George's dad works as a carpenter, but we struggle to get by.
"We are renting at the moment which means we can't make the necessary adaptations for George. The council can't offer us more than a two-bed place, which isn't big enough to make all the changes for someone with SMA."
George, whose aunt is page three girl Nicola T, is celebrating his birthday with a party with all his friends and his number one fan – big sister Evie, 3.
Lucy added: "She looks after him all the time and loves her little brother, who is a proper little fighter.
"She's starting to realise there's something slightly different about George and protects him. She gives people a right stare when they go anywhere near him."
The courageous toddler has also attracted some celebrity supporters and is one of just 1,800 people followed by One Direction's Zayn Malik on Twitter.
Lucy added: "The One Direction fans love George and have given us some nice messages of support. He is such a popular boy with a magical personality."
George will be starting at Millies Pre-School one day a week from February, where significant changes will be made to accommodate George.
"I am worried about when he grows up a bit and starts to realise he can't do everything other kids his age are doing," Lucy said.
"I don't think you ever properly come to terms with it but you find ways of coping and managing it.
"We will just try to adapt everything as much as we can to make sure George lives as normally as possible."
