THERE’S no wiping the smile off William Bell’s face. The Wyndham Vale boy, 10, has always wanted to play Auskick with his friends, but until four months ago it was an impossible dream.
William has spastic paraparesis, a rare neurological condition that causes difficulties with the control and power of his legs, similar to the effects of cerebral palsy, and requires the assistance of crutches to walk.
William’s battle was first featured in this newspaper in 2007, when his mother Donna Strong appealed for the community to help raise money to install a pool in their backyard to allow William to get swimming therapy. Wyndham residents opened their hearts and $10,500 was donated.
In the past five years, William has undergone countless hours of therapy in the pool and had surgery in 2010 to extend his muscles and remove the tightness in his legs.
In April, he finally started playing Auskick at Werribee Football Club with his friends. Until then, the avid Richmond fan had been making do with throwing a football around his backyard with his mum because he couldn’t let go of his walking frame to kick the ball.
Ms Strong said being able to play was a dream come true for William.
“He still can’t pick the ball up and kick it but he kicks it along the ground. He just loves it.”
William also had the chance to take to the field with his teammates at half-time of last month’s North Melbourne-Carlton clash at Etihad Stadium.
