A DISABLED York man has celebrated his 21st birthday with extra reason for delight - after walking for the first time in his life.

Mike Davitt, of Huntington, was born 13 weeks prematurely with a collapsed lung, brain haemorrhage and hydrocephalus, and his parents feared he would not survive.

He developed cerebral palsy and always used a wheelchair throughout his childhood and adolescence but now intensive therapy at a specialist college in Harrogate has enabled him to stand on his own two feet.

His parents Sharron and Michael say they could not believe it when they heard he was starting to walk, albeit supported by parallel bars.

"It was incredible," said Michael. "We were in bits. His grandmother, Nellie Davitt, says her prayers have been answered.

"She's been praying for him for 20 years, and has been to Lourdes."

He said Mike had been a student at Henshaw's College, a residential college for students with a range of disabilities, for the past two years.

When he got there, staff had set about strengthening his weight-bearing abilities in his legs. Initially he started walking in the hydrotherapy pool but was then able to get from his wheelchair to the sofa before progressing standing with the parallel bars and then walking.

Michael has installed a hand rail in his garage so Mike can keep on practising and maintain his muscle strength when he is home on holiday.

He said he did not know how much further Mike would progress but hoped he would be able to stay at the college for another year to find out. β€œHe is such an inspiration,” he added.

Sharron said that as well as walking, Mike had also been learning other life skills such as shopping and cooking for himself, and gardening.

"If they need something to cook, they go out to the shops to buy it. They really learn how to be independent. They've got fantastic facilities there."

Mike, who celebrated his 21st with a party on Saturday night at the Crescent Working Men's Club in Blossom Street, said: "I love being at Henshaws and living with all my friends, and going on the treadmill in the gym."

York Press:
Mike Davitt with his sister, Charlotte, brother, Ben, and dad, Michael