(Image: Provided)
A mother is calling on the public to help make her son’s birthday extra special with a simple gesture - a card.
17-year-old Joshua, from Trimdon Station, lives with Duchenne muscular dystrophy and will turn 18 on October 18, marking a milestone his family once feared he might never reach.
Diagnosed at just 12 months old, Joshua has faced lifelong challenges, including autism and learning difficulties.
Joshua was diagnosed with Duchenne muscular dystrophy when he was just 12-months-old (Image: Provided)
His mother, Karen Jessop, said: "For his 18th birthday, rather than asking for presents, we’re hoping to collect birthday cards for him from people across the North East and beyond.
"We’re hoping to create a huge pile of cards that he can open on his 18th birthday and show him just how many people are thinking of him."
(Image: Provided)
Joshua suffered a serious hip fracture at school in December 2023, which required surgery and significantly affected his mobility and confidence.
After needing to relearn how to walk, he has since needed increasing support, including a powered wheelchair.
Despite these setbacks, Karen describes Joshua as funny, stubborn, passionate about anime, gaming and Harry Potter, and says he remains determined to make his own mark on the world.
Joshua loves all things Harry Potter (Image: Provided)
A Facebook page, Defy Duchenne With Joshua, chronicles their journey and aims to raise awareness of the condition.
Karen said: "There is also something particularly poignant about reaching 18.
"For many young people, it is simply a milestone birthday.
"For families living with Duchenne, every birthday carries a much deeper meaning."
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Joshua is cared for by specialist teams across the North East and attends regular appointments at the Royal Victoria Infirmary and Freeman Hospital.
Karen is inviting the public to send or drop off birthday cards at Jordan’s, 8-9 Commercial Street, Trimdon Station, County Durham, clearly marked 'for Josh.'
She hopes the gesture will help show Joshua just how many people are cheering him on and stop him from feeling lonely.