An inspiring teenager has taken a tour of the schoolyard for the first time since being left in a wheelchair following a horror accident.
Ben Rutherford fought for his life after suffering severe brain damage in the collision in November 2018.
The 15-year-old spent about four months in an induced coma, leaving doctors to fear the worst.
Ben’s devastated parents learned that if their precious boy survived, he might never walk or speak again.
But Blyth’s inspirational boy succeeded and did the unthinkable time and time again – continuing to amaze teachers, physiotherapists and his proud family.
In scenes reminiscent of Captain Tom Moore’s extraordinary fundraising efforts, Ben’s strength and determination led him to walk around 100m with his frame for the first time since the life-changing crash.
There was not a dry eye in sight at Cleaswell Hill School as the teenager reached the finish line while being cheered on by his classmates on Monday morning.
His mother Denise Rutherford, 39, said she and father Simon were the “proudest parents” of their fighting boy, who was named “Captain Ben” by his friends.
(Image: Newcastle Chronicle)
She said: “Ben is so inspiring.
“Even I didn’t expect him to do it. He blew me away, I’m speechless.
“He manages to do everything the doctors said he wouldn’t be able to do.
“Ben is stronger than all of us put together.
“It was really special to see him take on the challenge. I’m so proud and just cried with happiness.”
Ben is one of 181 students with complex learning difficulties and disabilities aged 4-18 to attend Guide Post’s Community Special School.
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He has made huge strides in his development over the past 12 months with the help of physiotherapy, speech therapy and hydrotherapy at Cleaswell Hill School.
He took on the challenge of walking as part of the fun and fitness challenge week, raising essential funds for the school.
Jenny Moffitt, Phase Five Manager at Cleaswell Hill School, said: “It was completely Ben’s idea. When he told us we weren’t sure if he would be able to do it.
“Before that he had only walked up to 10 meters with his walker, so walking ten times is amazing.
“It was great to watch and it gave everyone at school a huge boost, especially Ben. The students called him Captain Ben for what he did.
“We’re all over the moon and so proud of him. As a school we’ve really adapted to help students like Ben with more support, like new therapies.
“We were all crying because we know how much Ben went through to get to this point.”
Ben’s one-on-one teaching assistant Danielle Forsyth called the teenager’s achievement “unbelievable,” especially after being absent from school for two months during the coronavirus pandemic.
“Ben is awesome and it’s a pleasure to work with him,” she said.
“He does a lot of things he loves. We introduced music and he plays football now every Friday.
“It was amazing. We had to teach him to stand and gradually he took steps into the therapy room.
“It’s like our own Cleaswell Captain Tom.”
(Image: Newcastle Chronicle)
Ben’s speech also took giant strides and is now starting to put together short sentences.
He has set himself a goal of completing his GCSEs and intends to embark on a career in the automotive industry in the future.
His recent success on foot made him want more and he swore he will walk unaided again.
Denise said, “He just makes my heart melt. He’s determined to walk without his walker and I believe him.
“He also talks a lot more now and you can understand him better as he grows up with confidence.
“The support from the school and the NHS physiotherapists has been incredible. Ben wouldn’t be where he is now without them.”
To support the school with fundraising, go to https://www.justgiving.com/cleaswellhill-school