Mother makes son star of book

A boy with a life-limiting illness is the star of a new book aimed at giving children a better understanding of disability. As well as caring for her son David, author Heather McCarter works as a classroom assistant in Rowandale Integrated Primary School in Moira, County Down.

Her story is about how David's wheelchair helps him get around. It also talks to him when no one else is there. The book is thought to be one of the first with a child in a wheelchair as the central character. David was born with cerebral palsy and epilepsy and doctors said he would not survive beyond the age of one. The book's publication now marks his ninth birthday.

Mrs McCarter originally put together the book for children in her school, so that they could have an opportunity to ask questions about life in a wheelchair. "I never expected the book to be published, it's absolutely marvellous. It's not acceptable that children with special needs are being bullied at the moment, so I hope this will help to put a stop to that," she said. "I would like to write a series of books so David can go on adventures here, there and everywhere to show other children that David can do anything, he just needs his wheelchair and a little help."

The book was launched on Friday at Ceara Special School in Lurgan, where David is a pupil.