Thurso boy who was told he would not walk unaided wins sports award

The remarkable strides made by a 12-year-old from Thurso born with a debilitating muscle condition have been marked with a sports award.

Kayden Malcolm was presented with Caithness Sports Council (CSC)'s 2023 Lady Thurso Rosebowl as the county's Para Sportsperson of the Year.

He was diagnosed in 2013 with spastic diplegic cerebral palsy when his family was told by a hospital consultant he would not be able to walk unaided and would require the lifelong use of a walking frame and potentially a wheelchair.

His family feared his opportunities in life would be very restricted and felt they needed to exhaust all opportunities to address the condition.

It took until April 2015 when they heard of a trailblazing procedure known as selective dorsal rhizotomy being conducted in St Louis Children’s Hospital in Missouri.

It involved examining and detecting the overactive nerves which run through the spine to the legs.

A small incision to the lower back exposes the nerve fibres that come from the muscles and enter the spinal cord. The nerve roots are then tested using electromyography and the surgeon identifies which rootlets are causing the problem. Once removed, a better balance is left within the nerve cells in the spinal cord.

Following a major community fundraising campaign, Kayden travelled to undergo the trailblazing procedure in the US hospital.

The family will be forever grateful to those behind the drive and to those who donated to it.

The unwavering support of his family and Kayden's dedication to an intensive programme of physiotherapy produced a significant improvement in his mobility.

Very early in life, he discovered a love of riding and has been a regular member of Caithness Riding for the Disabled Association since he was just 18 months.

RDA branch secretary Liz Hewitson said Kayden is a very popular member of the group.

In her award nomination, she stated: "He gains fun, achievement and therapy at riding sessions. When riding Kayden always has a lovely smile on his face, showing how much he enjoys it.

"Kayden has learnt a love for horses and enjoys having a hands-on experience with the horses whilst gaining the skill of riding.

"Since he has been riding, he has gained confidence, improved his core strength, balance and posture, and he finds it to be very relaxing."

Kayden was unable to attend CSC's annual prizegiving ceremony last December because he was unwell.

Last week's presentation immediately before its annual general meeting in North Shore Surf Club's base at Thurso East was attended by about a dozen of Kayden's family and friends.

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