Disneyland Paris trip for schoolboy battling terminal cancer

Cole Park was invited on an all-expenses paid trip to Disneyland Paris after undergoing neurosurgery, chemo and radiotherapy,

The inspirational seven-year-old, who has now lost the sight in his left eye because of complications caused by the cancer, has continued to amaze medics with his progress, but faces further obstacles as the disease remains in his brain stem.

Mum Michelle Barrie, 37, told the Glasgow Times: “I’m so proud of Cole, he’s always smiling and cheerful, despite everything he’s going through. He’s now visually impaired, but he doesn’t let anything stop him.

“At the moment his scans show that his cancer is stable, which means he’s been able to return to school on a part-time basis. His immune system is pretty weak and he gets tired easily but he just keeps battling on.

“Surgeons were only able to remove part of his tumour because of the risks associated with the surgery, so he still has a way to go. We are focusing on taking things one day at a time and are determined to stay positive.”

After Cole completed his treatment, the charity Make a Wish heard that he was a massive Disney fan and invited him on the trip at the end of last year. His family say it was a dream come true for the youngster, who spent several months at a time being treated at Glasgow’s Royal Hospital for Children.

Cole and his family at Disneyland Paris (Image: Supplied)

Michelle adds: “Cole loved every second and was able to meet his favourite Disney characters. Seeing him well enough to enjoy the trip was very emotional for me, and even although he had to rely a lot on his wheelchair to get around the park, he was just so thrilled to be there.

“He was also treated to a special trip to Lapland just before Christmas, which was wonderful. We want to make precious memories while he is well enough to do all the things he wants.”

The Glasgow Times previously told how the youngster was diagnosed in March 2002 with medulloblastoma, a rare form of brain tumour which affects just 55 children approximately each year in the UK.

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The next day he had his first surgery to try to reduce the size of the growth. A second operation followed, where doctors made the crushing discovery that there were further tumours on the youngster's brain and spine.

Michelle, from Kirkintilloch, told how her son had also suffered a series of worrying seizures.

She explained: “Cole had to go through another surgery to remove the central line in his heart. He was suffering from seizures and doctors think this was due to an infection caused by the line.

“Cole just keeps smiling no matter what he goes through. He just amazes us every day and I’m in awe of his courage and strength.

“He knows all the hospital staff so well now and I’m so grateful for the wonderful care he has received. He has more scans in February and we are just praying that the cancer will remain stable, as we know ultimately there’s no cure.”

Michelle first noticed something was wrong with her son when he complained of sore legs and headaches.

She explained: “We never imagined it would be cancer and our world was shattered when we were given the diagnosis.

“It was devastating, and he was rushed straight in to try and remove the tumour. He had an amazing team of surgeons, but they couldn’t get it all out without causing brain damage.

“They had to stop the operation prematurely and think about other options. Cole still faces a difficult time ahead of him and we know we can't get too ahead of ourselves. He’s such a strong wee boy and we will continue to cherish every moment we can spend with him.”