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Dino-cart invention helps boy 'to be a child' - mother

James Smyth uses the dino-cart around the family garden near Raphoe
James Smyth uses the dino-cart around the family garden near Raphoe

One of the stars of a new television series beginning on RTÉ One tonight is a seven-year-old boy from Raphoe, Co Donegal who was born with a rare condition which has led to him having both of his legs amputated.

James Smyth was born with Caudal Regression Syndrome, a condition his mother Joann had never heard of when he was diagnosed with it.

Joann said doctors gave very little hope for the future for James when he was born but he has defied all the odds and is an amazing character.

James has tried lots of activities but found that with the great upper body strength developed by using his arms to get around, gymnastics is his thing.

However one thing his parents wanted for him was a fun cart that he could use to get around outside like his friends.

That is where the Big Life Fix television programme came in. The series sees Ireland's leading inventors create ingenious solutions to everyday problems for extraordinary people and James is one of 12 transformational stories told.

Inventor Trevor Vaught worked with James and his family for a year, watching how he moved and developing a number of prototype carts before creating the dino-cart which James uses around the family's big garden and laneway near Raphoe.

Joann says the dino-cart, complete with dinosaur noises, has allowed James to be a child and does not make him stand out. 

James Smyth (R) with his sister Tory

However, Joann has concerns that for many children with disabilities, being a child like other children is a problem because of the limited amount of toys suitable for their use and the high cost of what is available.

While she could buy a bike for James' sister Tory for a couple of hundred euro she said, getting something for James would cost thousands.

Joann says there is no financial support for toys or for things like swimming lessons, where a child like James needs one-to-one tuition. 

Toys might seem trivial she said but, like access to sport, they are vital to children with disabilities.

It is important, Joann said, that children feel they fit in while they are growing up, that they do not feel different to other children - this is a vital part of the child's confidence, self-esteem and development and it should be supported.

The Big Life Fix begins on RTÉ One television at 9.35 tonight.

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