A THIRTEEN-YEAR-OLD boy from Weymouth who suffers from a rare muscle-wasting disease has shared his lockdown experience through an online Q&A.

Adam lives with Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy (DMD), a genetic disorder, characterised by progressive muscle degeneration and weakness due to the modification of dystrophin, a protein which helps keep muscle cells intact. There is currently no cure for DMD.

Despite his condition, Adam makes sure to live his life to the fullest. He loves sport, both playing and watching football, is a black belt in taekwondo and regularly attends his local Scout group.

Adam receives regular care from Dorset and Wiltshire children’s hospice, Julia’s House. However, because of his condition and resulting vulnerability to infection, the charity is now having to support Adam and his family through video calls during the coronavirus crisis.

Julia’s House recently published a Q&A to allow Adam to give supporters a window into the lockdown period from his perspective.

Adam said: “I’m finding the lockdown annoying because I cannot do any of my hobbies or see my friends but I do understand that it is to protect me.

“I am missing going to watch AFC Bournemouth play and getting to see the players as they arrive for matches, also playing my power chair football for AFCB Warriors and Cheltenham All-stars.

“I am also missing my Scouts & Taekwondo. Both AFCB Warriors and Weymouth South Scouts have been doing things weekly via Zoom, which has really helped me.

“Because I am shielding this means I cannot even leave the house to go for a daily walk, which I am finding really hard.”

Julia’s house is dedicated to supporting the families of children with life-limiting or life-threatening conditions.

The support they provide is reliant on the generosity of the local community, as 95 per cent of their funds come from donations.

Adam went on to explain his routine: “During school time I am keeping myself occupied by following my daily school timetable and doing the work that has been set for me. I am also baking, making Lego, watching Star Wars on Disney+ and playing on my Xbox.”

“I am speaking to friends on Xbox as well as using FaceTime and Zoom and speaking to my grandma on the telephone.

“I had a video chat and quiz with Nurse Nat, which was entertaining. Nurse Nat has also kindly collected my tablets from the chemist for me and when delivering them I had a nice conversation with her through my door.”

For more information on Julia’s House, visit www.juliashouse.org