DIY SOS help boy come home for first time in 18 months

tunisante June 25, 2017

Matthew Cooper was admitted to hospital and diagnosed with cancer in 2012
The 12-year-old boy had a life-saving operation but later suffered two strokes
He was left on a ventilater and robbed off independent movement and speech
DIY SOS makeover allowed the family to return home for first time in 18 months

Stephanie Linning for MailOnline

Published:
04:34 EDT, 23 June 2017

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Updated:
04:40 EDT, 23 June 2017

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A brave 12-year-old cancer survivor who was left paralysed and unable to speak after suffering a stroke was able to return home for the first time in more than a year thanks to an incredible makeover by DIY SOS.

Schoolboy Matthew Cooper, from Telford, Shropshire, was admitted to Birmingham Children’s Hospital in August 2015, where doctors discovered multiple cancerous tumours on his brain and down his spine.

Recalling the ‘dark days’, mother Sue fought back tears as she said: ‘Matthew said, “Am I going to die?” and I said, “No, it’s not going to kill you”… You have to keep going for them. You can’t show them that you are frightened. You have to be strong.’

Then just 10 years old, Matthew underwent a life-saving operation to remove the biggest tumour on his brain but suffered two strokes shortly after which left him on a ventilator and robbed him of independent movement and speech.

Homecoming: Nick Knowles and the DIY SOS team stepped in to help Leigh and Sue Cooper and their 12-year-old son, Matthew, who was left paralysed and unable to speak after a stroke

Before: The family home was not wheelchair accessible and did not have space for the medical equipment Matthew needs to survive. It meant he could not return home for 18 months

After: The DIY SOS team carried out six months’ of work in just nine days, stripping and clearing the old rooms before adding a wrap-around extension to the side and back. At the back of the house, pictured, the ground was leveled and double-width doors added

Life-changing: Sue, pictured, and Leigh have lived on the hospital ward with Matthew for more than a year because their semi-detached house was not fit for him to live in

For 17 months, his parents, Leigh and Sue, were forced to live with their son on a hospital ward as their family home was not wheelchair-accessible and did not have room for the medical equipment he needs to keep him alive.

Father Leigh said: ‘If we arrived there now we wouldn’t physically be able to get Matthew in.’ Sue added: ‘He would just be stuck in one room… That’s not living as a family.’

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The community rallied around and raised a staggering £52,000 to put towards his medical care. However it was not enough to transform the family home to make it suitable for his complex needs.

But his classmates and friends at Wrockwardine Wood Junior School were determined to help get Matthew hope and penned handwritten letters to the DIY SOS. One heart-wrenching letter from a schoolgirl, Emily, read: ‘Please, please, please help my best friend Matthew come home.’

Cramped: Before being admitted to hospital, Matthew lived in this single bedroom. However there was not enough space for his wheelchair or essential medical equipment

Thoughtful: Now his brightly-coloured Dr Who themed bedroom has an inbuilt hoist system and en-suite. There is also an intercom and alarm system connected to his parents’ room

Narrow doors: Matthew would have struggled to move around the former living space, above

Open plan: Now the kitchen and living room gives the family plenty of space to be together

With the help of dozens of volunteers, Nick Knowles and his team completed six months’ of work in just nine days – stripping, gutting and tearing down existing rooms while adding an enoromous wrap-around extension to the back and side of the house and transforming the garden.

The finished two-storey property is now fully accessible and means Matthew can return home to live with his family for the first time since he was admitted to hospital, nearly two years ago.

Seeing the property for the first time, Sue said: ‘It’s amazing. It’s like something off a movie,’ while an overwhelmed Leigh added: ‘I just can’t believe it.’

Mammoth task: The DIY SOS team demolished part of the downstairs bedroom and garage

In its place, the team added an extension with a wet room, guest room and Matthew’s bedroom

Cluttered: The back garden was filled with steps and obstacles not suitable for wheelchairs

Outdoor oasis: Now Matthew can enjoy the fragrant flower beds and large, flat paths

The front door of the house was opened out and the floors levelled to allow Matthew’s wheelchair while the new open plan kitchen and living space means the whole family can relax and socialise together.

The biggest change to the house was the extension, which offered Matthew his own downstairs bedroom, complete with a hoist and alarm and intercom system that connects to his parents’ bedroom.

The en-suite wet room is complete with an accessible bath and hoist system that will give Matthew back some of his independence. A spare room offers a place for carers, friends or family to stay close to Matthew.

Retreat: Sue and Leigh were given a tranquil bedroom where they can relax together

State-of-the-art: A wet room en-suite is fitted with a hoist system and accessible bath

Guest room: There is now space for carers, family and friends to stay close to Matthew

Practical: The stylish office, pictured, doubles as a place to store Matthew’s medicine

Upstairs the parents were given a tranquil bedroom of their own while a purpose-built office has plenty of space to store all of Matthew’s medicine.

Outside the obstacles and steps that prevented Matthew from being able to access the garden were removed and replaced with smooth paths and fragrant flower beds for the family to enjoy. The team also added a summer house for Matthew and his friends to use, allowing them to spend time together like other teenagers.

Sue added: ”This is a massive, massive change but it’s been too long since we’ve been home and been able to get him home. And he’s wanted to come home for so long… He’s on his way. You’ve brought him home. It’s a new start for all of us.’