This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-dorset-37478838

The article has changed 2 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
Luca Fernandes starts drug treatment for muscular dystrophy Luca Fernandes starts drug treatment for muscular dystrophy
(about 1 hour later)
A six-year-old boy with an incurable muscle-wasting condition has begun treatment following a two-year fight by his family.A six-year-old boy with an incurable muscle-wasting condition has begun treatment following a two-year fight by his family.
Luca Fernandes has Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD), which could leave him unable to walk by the age of 12.Luca Fernandes has Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD), which could leave him unable to walk by the age of 12.
His parents have been campaigning for him to be given Translarna - a treatment that could allow him to lead a normal life for much longer.His parents have been campaigning for him to be given Translarna - a treatment that could allow him to lead a normal life for much longer.
They said the sachets of the drug were "like powdered hope".They said the sachets of the drug were "like powdered hope".
Luca, from Poole in Dorset, is one of 50 patients in England to trial the drug, which costs more than £200,000 a year, and he will be allowed to use it for as long as his legs continue to work. Luca, from Poole in Dorset, is one of 50 patients in England to trial the drug, which costs more than £200,000 a year and works specifically on the legs to slow the muscle-wasting effects of DMD.
He will be allowed to use it for as long as his legs continue to work.
Nice - the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence - announced in April that the drug would be made available amid promising signs it could delay the loss of walking for up to seven years.Nice - the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence - announced in April that the drug would be made available amid promising signs it could delay the loss of walking for up to seven years.
His mother, Joanne, said: "We know he is getting the best that he can get - there is nothing more we can do. We've fought so hard for this drug.His mother, Joanne, said: "We know he is getting the best that he can get - there is nothing more we can do. We've fought so hard for this drug.
"Our hope is, it's going to give him more time on his feet, more time out of a wheelchair, its going to allow him to keep playing football, go out in the playground with his friends and lead a normal life for much longer.""Our hope is, it's going to give him more time on his feet, more time out of a wheelchair, its going to allow him to keep playing football, go out in the playground with his friends and lead a normal life for much longer."
What is DMD?What is DMD?