Video of Newcastle toddler with rare condition walking for the first time

August 5, 2016

Severe joint problems meant Hope Watson could stand but not walk
The three-year-old suffers from a rare condition called Ohdo Syndrome
Touching footage shows Hope in her Upsee, strapped to mum Michelle

Francis Scott For Mailonline

Published:
04:13 EST, 5 August 2016

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Updated:
07:00 EST, 5 August 2016

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There was a chance Hope Watson, a three-year-old from Newcastle with a rare disability, would never be able to walk.

But now thanks to a specialist device she has been able to experience the sensation for the first time.

An emotional video captures the precious moment Hope walks in an Upsee with the aid of her mother.

Hope at last: Three-year-old Hope Watson feels the sensation of walking for the first time

An emotional video shows how Hope is given the chance to feel like other children her age

Severe joint problems due to her condition, named Ohdo Syndrome, meant the toddler was only just about able to stand.

Yet now the device allows her body to be strapped to mum Michelle, enabling her to ‘walk’.

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She is not only able to put one foot in front of the other, but could kick a ball too for the first time and feel like other children her age.

Mum Michelle, of Walbottle in Newcastle, said: ‘I felt so emotional when I saw her walk for the first time. It gives Hope the chance to do what her peers are doing. She loves being upright and seeing her walking is what any parent wants.

‘She suffers from Ohdo Syndrome but we hope that she will eventually walk on her own. And this Upsee will give her the chance to experience walking before she does it by herself,’ added the 33-year-old.

Severe joint problems due to Ohdo Syndrome meant the toddler was only just able to stand

Now an Upsee device allows her body to be strapped to mum Michelle, enabling her to ‘walk’

Hope has two older sisters, Megan, 11, and Molly, nine, and ‘it means everything to me to see her happy and enjoying life,’ said Michelle.

Her eldest daughter said: ‘I felt so proud when I saw my sister walk. Finally, after all of these years she can feel what it is like to walk.’

And her sister Molly added: ‘I am so happy to see Hope walk. When she learns to walk on her own we will play football with her and play in the park.’

The parents applied to Gosforth-based Smile For Life Children’s Charity for the Upsee device

Hope is now able to emulate sisters Molly, 9, and Megan, 11, who are say they are ‘proud’ to see their younger sibling on the road to walking on her own

With her husband Graham Stoker, 51, the parents applied to Gosforth-based Smile For Life Children’s Charity for the Upsee device.

Smile For Life chief executive Paula Gascoigne said: ‘This is what Smile for Life is all about – making children smile and provide things that will change their lives and this is a perfect example of that.

‘For quite a simple piece of equipment, Hope can learn to stand upright and hopefully she will learn to walk on her own, along with getting other therapies.’