THE family of a disabled boy who would sleep between 18 and 20 hours a day said it was a "miracle" he was now bursting with energy.

Swansea six-year-old Adam Bancroft's life has been turned around after his parents Georgina, aged 41, and 44-year-old Steve fought for him to have specialist treatment.

The Morriston youngster has a range of multiple complex disabilities, including epilepsy, autism, severe learning difficulties and low muscle tone, along with moderate deafness.

Last Christmas he was only one of seven children worldwide to be diagnosed with a rare chromosome disorder — known as Idic 15.

It means that he was born with four copies of the chromosome, instead of the typical two. In some cases the disorder has led to sudden deaths, which are understood to be linked to seizure activity and sleep apnoea.

Mrs Bancroft, who lives in Cae Eithin, in Morriston, said they had been able to enjoy their first family holiday in years to Ireland following Adam's treatment.

She said: "It's such a miracle. I can't believe how well he's come on.

Progress

"He still has severe learning difficulties and his progress might be slow but it is forward moving and we are so very proud of him."

The youngster underwent the Scotson Technique, which helps to develop the potential of the uninjured brain through the gentle manual delivery of breath and pulse-like pressures, mimicking the effects of breathing on the body tissues and circulatory systems.

Mrs Bancroft said she had really noticed a change in his character.

She added: "We learn an exercise to increase the blood flow around Adam's diaphragm, thus encouraging the oxygenation of the underdeveloped muscles that support it.

"Adam is so much calmer, his posture is better, he is learning and making decisions, he is developing a cheeky sense of humour and his energy levels are increasing and so is his enjoyment of life."

Support for the family came from the Bexhill-based charity Tree of Hope, which offers funding to children who need specialised medical treatment.

At one time, the family considered remortgaging their home to cover the ongoing cost of his therapy at the Advance Centre in East Grinstead.

It costs £700 for the training and the hyperbaric oxygen therapy and £300 for staying at the centre.

Mrs Bancroft said she wished the family had the time to stage a fundraiser to help to continue paying for their son's care.

"This is hitting us hard and we just don't know how we are going to raise the funds to attend the Advance Scotson Centre again in a couple of months," she added.

"We are ebaying like crazy. We would love to do a fundraiser but looking after Adam's needs takes up all our energy along with running a home programme (for him) and all the admin it involves."

Donations can be made towards children, including Adam, through the Tree of Hope website or the charity's Just Giving site.

elizabeth.perkins@swwmedia.co.uk