Children and staff at St Margaret’s PS in Cowie have been rallying round P7 pupil, Somhairle McMenemy, who has the serious muscle-wasting condition duchenne muscular dystrophy.
The 11-year-old’s constant strength and positivity inspires everyone at the school on a daily basis.
And before he moves on to secondary school in the summer, the school held a special assembly for Somhairle, with his parents Sarah and Gerry, and representatives from the charity Muscular Dystrophy UK among those in attendance.
Pupils and staff visibly showed their support on the day by ‘going orange’, the brand colour of charity Muscular Dystrophy UK (MDUK) as part of a fundraising effort.
Very proud
Somhairle’s Dad, Gerry said: “Any diagnosis of a rare condition for your child is absolutely devastating and this was no different for us when Somhairle was diagnosed with the cruel muscle wasting condition Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy just before he started primary school.
“The information, support and advice we have received from the MDUK since then has been essential to help us get the best for Somhairle in both medical care, education and everyday living.
“In his seven years at St Margaret’s Primary, that support has extended into the school and it’s amazing to see how the school community in turn supports both Somhairle and Muscular Dystrophy UK in lots of ways.
“Somhairle has achieved so much both in and out of school, including sporting achievements in swimming, powerchair football and boccia and makes us all very proud every day.
“Though Somhairle’s brand, “Muscle in with Somhairle”, we continue to support MDUK as it campaigns for a better quality of life for people living with muscle wasting conditions and pushes for ground-breaking research and access to new and better treatments. Please help us support MDUK in any way you can.”
Courage
Headteacher Paul Nugent said: “We at St. Margaret’s have been on a wonderful journey with Somhairle since he first started here in 2018.
“We have learned a huge amount about Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy and how it can affect a family’s daily life. The courage that Somhairle and his parents display on a daily basis is an inspiration to us all and the mantra of ‘every second counts’ is an excellent way for everyone to live their lives.
“Somhairle does not let Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy hold him back and he is an accomplished sportsman. He is a Scottish league Powerchair footballer and he excels at boccia and swimming. Somhairle sees opportunities where others see restrictions and he continues to inspire everyone around him.
“We will be devastated to lose Somhairle and his family from the St. Margaret’s community but we know he will continue to excel at St. Modan’s. He will always hold a special place in our hearts.”
Achieved so much
Convener of Stirling Council’s Children and Young People Committee, Cllr Danny Gibson said: “Somhairle’s bravery, inner strength and positivity in the face of this serious condition has had a major impact across the school community at St Margaret’s and beyond.
“Helped by the support of his family, the school and MDUK, he has achieved so much and raised awareness of Muscular Dystrophy. It was fitting that the school held this colourful event to recognise Somhairle before he heads to high school, which will also help raise funds to support the vital work of the charity.”
Above and beyond
Jacqueline Munro, Head of Regional Support, Outreach, and Information at Muscular Dystrophy UK, the leading charity for more than 110,000 children and adults in the UK living with one of over 60 muscle wasting and weakening conditions, said: “It’s important for any child living with a muscle wasting and weakening condition to get the right care, support and education they need.
“Over the past seven years St. Margaret’s RC Primary School has provided this excellent care in helping Somhairle feel included by offering a supportive and accessible environment. Both the classroom and leadership staff have gone above and beyond and are a real example for other schools.
“It great to see the school taking part in our ‘Go Bright’ campaign, raising awareness and vital funds to help support our groundbreaking research work.”
For more information, visit https://www.musculardystrophyuk.org