Episode 7 Going Back Giving Back

One of the things I love about us Brits is our spirit of generosity.

If I can give back to somebody who had a similar struggle

to my own, then that's what I'd like to do.

Last year, nearly three-quarters of us gave to charity.

But what if you had the chance to go back

-and relive moments from your past?

-I wish I was 18 again.

-I'm expecting Mum and Dad to walk out now and say hello.

-Yeah.

Moments which would inspire you to want to help someone today...

I want to give back to those people that are going through that,

that I went through in the beginning.

If I can give something to somebody else

-that will change their lives, I'd really love to.

-Fantastic.

'..someone who had no idea this life-changing windfall was coming.'

I have got, potentially, her dream in my hand.

-How are you feeling?

-Nervous.

'There'll be surprises.'

-How are you?

-Very good.

Thank you so much.

-Thank you.

-Ah.

'With acts of generosity that will change people's lives...'

-I'm really excited now.

-We're ALL crying.

-Do you need an arm as well?

-Yeah, thanks.

'..forever.' Way! Brilliant.

Somebody that just does that for people -

it's just amazing, it really is.

This is Going Back, Giving Back.

Today, we're going back to the 1950s.

This is a story of fighting adversity,

where love and encouragement turned misfortune into success.

How did one man beat the odds to live a full and happy life?

'People say, "If you were born again, if you could have arms,'

"would you have them?" And I say, "No".

I've had such a fantastic life.

What's inspiring him to want to help a deserving person today?

If I can help somebody else have just the small amount of luck

and the good life I've had, it would be absolutely brilliant.

Can he help improve the life of one extremely brave little boy?

He's loved by so many, he really, really is,

and once you see that smile, you can't forget Cam.

'And the nerves are evident as we prepare for a big surprise.'

-So, how are you feeling about this?

-Quite apprehensive.

With a generous gift that will make a huge difference

to the whole family.

-What do you say? Thank you! Thank you very much.

-It's a pleasure.

I've come to Hampshire to meet an extraordinary man,

whose early life was anything but easy.

His struggle wasn't just a physical one,

it was also one of acceptance -

firstly with himself and then from others.

But this amazing man found a way to communicate

that goes way beyond words.

He's a shining example to others and I can't wait to meet him.

'54-year-old Tom was born with no arms,

'as a result of the thalidomide drug -

'a huge medical scandal which shook the world.

'Today, he's a successful artist and lives in the village of Holybourne.'

Must be in the right place. It says "Studio".

-Tom.

-Good morning.

-How are you? Nice to see you.

-Very good, yeah.

-This is your den.

-Yeah, this is my workroom.

-It's amazing!

Yeah, I'm really lucky.

But Tom is not your average artist.

As he was born without arms, he paints using his mouth and feet.

He produces colourful works of art

that have sold for up to £700 each across the globe.

Many of his graphic designs have appeared

on cards and wrapping paper.

His signature pieces are his silk flowers and acrylic woodland scenes.

So, go on, then, why do you want to give something back today?

I think that I've just had a very, very lovely life,

a very positive life. It didn't start too well.

We had lots of problems when I was younger,

but the fact that now I've got to where I am in my life

and I feel quite secure,

I think it's just right that you help other people.

Tom's start in life was tough.

While pregnant, his mother had been prescribed the thalidomide drug

to combat morning sickness.

Its devastating side effects meant Tom's arms never developed.

In an attempt to help Tom, as a toddler,

he was made to wear prosthetic arms.

Having to wear artificial arms for society, not for me.

I knew that I could do everything with my feet, but it was society

that said that I had to be in the same pigeonhole, the same as you.

-I had to look normal.

-That must be so frustrating for you, in a way.

It was really frustrating to have to wear these cumbersome things

that took so long to do things.

What was it like when you first went to school?

Um, it was quite difficult.

It was... Being the only child in the playground with no arms,

people notice you.

My mother always tells the story about when I was about six,

coming home in tears because one of the kids had been bullying

and was saying something to me.

I was sitting on her lap and she was in tears and I was in tears.

My brother came in and sort of said,

"You've got to stick up for yourself.

"Tomorrow, I want you to stand up

"and, you know, give him as good as he's giving you."

-And you did?

-And I did, yeah.

If you stand up for yourself, it's much easier in life.

Tom's always been a fighter

and has never let his disability get in the way of life.

He went to Brighton University and got an arts degree

and then married his college sweetheart,

with whom he has two grown-up children.

He's been a professional artist for 30 years

and has exhibited across the world.

He's on the board of the Mouth and Foot Painters,

an international association of disabled artists.

He's also founder of a charity

that builds fully accessible holiday bungalows for the disabled.

Tom is an incredibly positive person,

so it's no surprise he's made such a success of his life.

So, you've decided that you want to help somebody else that's unique?

Yeah, I think it's important that if you've had a really good life,

you know, and you can look back

and think, "I've done quite well"...

People say, "If you were born again, would you have arms?

"If you could have arms, would you have them?" And I say, "No."

I've had such a fantastic life and, actually, to be able to help

somebody else that's not, maybe, so fortunate

or haven't had the chances to do amazing things

like I've done is really important.

I hate to drag you away from that, but I think,

in order for you to give something back, we need to go back first.

-Are you up for a little journey?

-Absolutely, yeah.

-There we go.

-It's looking good, though.

-It will get there.

-Yeah, definitely. Right.

'We're taking Tom back to the place which inspired him

'to become the confident and artistic person he is today.

'And we're hoping poignant memories will spur his

'to want to help someone else.'

So, have you got any idea where we're going to go?

-I have no idea where we're going to go.

-Good.

-So, it's quite exciting, isn't it?

-Yeah. Well, I hope it is.

-Yeah.

It's a lovely place to be driven around anyway, Hampshire.

-It is, yeah.

-Lovely countryside.

For the first six years of his school life,

Tom attended mainstream schools,

but he wasn't happy as he felt they didn't understand

his capabilities and he started falling behind.

However, his life completely changed at the age of 11,

when he was sent to Treloar's, a boarding school

designed especially for children with disabilities.

It was here that Tom really started to accept who he was.

It annoys me, you know, the fact that I'm very often termed

as a thalidomide victim and I really don't like that cos I think,

-to be a victim, you should have suffered in life.

-Right.

And I have definitely not suffered in life.

I've had a fantastic life and been very fortunate.

Thalidomide was an international medical disaster,

that led to more than 10,000 children across the world

being born with deformities.

-NEWS REPORT:

-'Andy can get in and out of the driving seat

'without help and without artificial limbs

'and, for the first time in his life,

'Andy does not have to ask to be taken out to play.'

The drug was developed in the mid-1950s as a mild sleeping pill,

and was also found to help pregnant women with morning sickness.

But in the early '60s,

a doctor in Australia noticed an increase in deformed babies

being born at his hospital to mothers who had taken thalidomide.

The link was finally revealed in 1961, a year before Tom was born.

It's incredible the fact you were born with no arms,

it hasn't held you back one bit, has it?

No, but I think that comes down to my upbringing

and the fact that I didn't have parents or family

-that sort of said, "You can't do that."

-Yeah.

It was always, "You CAN do that",

and if I wanted to try something, they encouraged me to try it.

Around 180 million thalidomide tablets were sold

in 46 countries across the world.

The drug only damaged babies

if it was taken in the first six weeks of pregnancy.

The impact depended precisely on what day it was taken.

On day 24, it affected the arms.

Tom was the youngest of five children.

His father was a baker and his mother a nurse.

When Tom was born, she was heartbroken

when he was quickly taken away and she wasn't allowed to see him.

-That was a real shock, because she was a nurse.

-Of course.

She'd done midwifery and she couldn't understand why, you know.

-And the nurses were coming in...

-It must have been frightening.

Yeah, and they were saying to her,

"Oh, Mrs Yendell, we've just fed your lovely baby.

"He's very beautiful." And she just couldn't understand why.

In those days, there were no prenatal scans

to check on the baby's progress,

so Tom's disability came as a shock to everyone.

When doctors felt his mother had recovered from the birth,

she was told the devastating news

that her son had been born without arms.

My mother always tells the story of...

..coming to see me for the first time

and leaning over my cot and she had a scarf round her neck

and I took hold of it with my toes and pulled it

and she said that connection was made straightaway.

Tom's parents are now in their '90s and live by the coast.

His mother had no idea of the consequences of taking thalidomide

when she was pregnant with Tom.

Once the devastating side effects had been identified,

it was discovered the drug hadn't been tested

for use during pregnancy.

Thalidomide became an international medical scandal.

The families of thalidomide children, including Tom's,

launched a legal battle

against the UK drug's manufacturer for compensation.

-NEWS REPORT:

-'The firm which sold the thalidomide drug in Britain

'has offered to pay £20 million.

'It will go to more than 300 children born deformed

'because their mothers took the drug on doctor's orders

'when they were pregnant.'

After the settlement in 1968, the Sunday Times newspaper led

a high-profile campaign for more compensation,

resulting in a further £28 million being paid out in the 1970s.

-Ah, I see where we are now!

-So, go on then.

So, this is my school. This is the old boys' school.

-When I came at 11 years old, this is the school that I came to.

-Right.

And, er, this has got lots of fantastic memories, actually.

Alongside his family, he credits this school

with giving him the confidence, as a young boy, to flourish.

Tom doesn't see having no arms as a hindrance

but, rather, as the making of him.

So, who'd have thought it?

Your old school's now a posh hotel, but what's it like being back here?

It brings back so many memories to me,

especially this part of the building.

-This was where you moved up to.

-Right.

So, you started over the other side and, as you got older,

this was where the older boys lived. So, lots of amazing memories.

And the first couple of days weren't that brilliant here.

I used to wear leather flip-flops

because, obviously, using my feet, I needed to get into them.

And every new boy had to go up to the medical centre

and the matron looked at my shoes and said,

"Go back to the house and get some decent shoes on."

And, of course, I burst into tears,

because I can't do anything when I wear socks and shoes, you know.

So, that was...that was a bit of a problem.

But once they realised what it was all about,

and the fact that I use my feet, we just got on with things.

The Treloar's boarding school was opened in 1949

to educate physically disabled boys

in this beautiful Jacobean manor that dates back to 1620.

The school was funded by a trust,

started in 1908, by the then Lord Mayor of London,

Sir William Purdie Treloar, to help children who were disabled.

Although it's no longer a school,

this country mansion is where Tom's life was transformed

when he arrived, back in 1973.

-So, it's good to be back here?

-Yeah, it's always good,

and even now that the school is no longer here,

there's still lots and lots of history still here.

Yeah, the school's moved to quite close to where you live now.

Yeah, just up the road. I don't think I will leave Treloar's.

-It's been a big part of me.

-You don't to leave,

-cos we're going to go back to it now.

-Oh, wow.

-Enjoying this little trip, aren't you?

-I am, yeah.

In 1978, when Tom was just 16, his boys' boarding school

merged with a girls' school and moved to a new site.

He was here for two years.

This is where he was encouraged to develop his artistic talents.

It will no doubt stir up so many positive memories

and, hopefully, fuel his desire to help someone today.

I tell you what - it's a bit different to the old place.

It is. Much newer.

They've got the new site here and they've brought it all together.

-Yeah.

-All on the one site.

-It's a school of two halves, isn't it?

-That's the old, obviously, isn't it?

-Yeah.

-And there's a huge new facility.

-Yeah.

-Amazing.

So, I think it was the 1960s when it was a girls' school.

And then we were the first year to come up as boys.

The headmaster always told us we had the worst exam results because,

of course, all we wanted to do was look at the girls really.

-Worth it though, wasn't it?

-It was, definitely.

-Bad exam results.

-Yeah, it was.

-Shall we have a look round?

-Absolutely. I'll show you in.

'Art wasn't the only subject Tom enjoyed during time here.

'He was also into drama. He even played the lead

'in Joseph And The Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat.

'He left his own legacy to the school

'that is so close to his heart -

'a mural depicting the plays he was involved in.'

-It's still here.

-It's still here, amazingly, after 40-odd...

-Is that you?

-That's me. Look at that.

-Look at that hair!

-Yeah.

-I grew it for Joseph, of course.

-Oh, yeah, of course.

-Yeah.

-So, that's you painting this?

-So, this is when I was...

-Yeah, this is 40-odd years ago.

-So, what have we got here?

-We've got Gilbert and Sullivan... All shows then.

-Yeah, all shows.

All the shows that we did while we were here. Yeah.

-This is brilliant. It's massive!

-Yeah.

-It's really good!

It's just lovely. It does bring back so many memories,

especially thinking about all the theatre

and the musicals that we did. It was quite amazing.

Do you know what I love about this?

-It's a real splash of colour, isn't it?

-Yeah.

-You don't expect it down a corridor.

-I think that's why they've left it.

-I think it just adds something to a white corridor.

-Yeah.

-Makes it less institutionalised.

-Are you proud that it's still here?

I am. I'm a bit embarrassed

cos I think that my art work has come on a lot more.

I was thinking this is brilliant!

-I think, yeah, it's amazing it's still here.

-I think it's awesome.

'It's clear this trip down memory lane

'is bringing everything back to Tom,

'reminding how much he owes this special school,

'as well as what he's achieved.'

You know, coming back here to where it all started,

has it reinforced that feeling that you want to give something back?

Oh, yeah, absolutely.

I just think it's quite amazing to look back at, you know,

my childhood and my family and then coming to Treloar's.

Now I look back and think what an incredibly lucky life I've had

and so, if I can help somebody else have just the small amount

of luck and the good life I've had, that would be absolutely brilliant.

You're such a positive guy, do you know that?

Well, there's no point in being negative in life, is there?

We should be more positive, looking at the positive side of life.

-Shall we head out?

-I think that's a good idea.

-You don't fancy adding a bit more onto this?

-Maybe.

They've done a lot more plays since I was here.

Coming up, we've been on the hunt for someone whose story

we hope will strike a chord with Tom and we think we've found them.

He's a brave young boy whose life has been fraught with disabilities.

Everything that he goes through,

everything that he's dealt with so far, up to now,

he's always got a little smile on his face.

He and his mum think we're making a programme

about children with disabilities.

They have no idea the real reason behind Tom's visit

and that they could be in for a gift

-that could make all the difference to their lives.

-Good girl.

There's one place at this school

where Tom spent much of his time - the art block.

Do you think you'd be an artist if it wasn't for this place?

Er, no, I definitely wouldn't have been an artist without Treloar's.

-It's changed your life then, really.

-Absolutely.

Yeah, I mean, with the art and with painting with my mouth and foot,

you know, has given me everything I've got really.

-It's powerful, isn't it?

-It is, absolutely, yeah.

There was one man, in particular, who inspired him -

his art teacher, Alan.

Sadly, Alan passed away just after Tom left school,

but we're about to meet a lady who still has very fond memories of Tom.

-Is this the art room then?

-This is the art room.

-Come on, let's go in.

-Okey doke.

-'Alan's widow, Mary,

'knows all about what Tom got up to.'

TOM LAUGHS

A little surprise for you. I hope you don't mind.

-How are you?

-That's wonderful!

-Hello.

-So, you know this gentleman then?

-I know him very well, yeah.

-A long time.

-Yes, I don't know how many years.

-Well...

-Lost in the mists of time.

-Yeah, 43, maybe.

-I would think that's quite a good guess.

-That's a good guess.

You can tell us what a wonderful husband she had.

-Yes, he was great, wasn't he?

-Yeah.

-He made a big difference to YOUR life.

-Absolutely.

All I remember about Alan, or the main things is,

that we did so much.

We did so many different types of medium and materials.

-It was absolutely brilliant.

-Yeah.

What did your husband feel about Tom?

Yes, well, he obviously encouraged him to pick art up

-because he could see that is what he could do with his life.

-Yeah.

So, I think he was very encouraging.

When I was here as a student, we didn't really have a disability

or anything, because we were taught to cope with it.

We were taught to get ourselves up in the morning

-and then we also helped the others get up in the morning.

-Yeah.

-So, it was about community.

-Mmm.

But, I mean, artwise, it was, right from the start,

just having a teacher that was interested in what you were doing

and trying to pass his knowledge on.

Could your husband see the potential in him then, as an artist?

Oh, definitely, yes. He'd come home and tell me about Tom.

-What did he use to say?

-Um, well, I think he was quite cheeky.

THEY LAUGH

-Who, this one?

-Yes.

-Oh, really?

-I haven't told him that, Mary!

-I see.

How do you feel about what he's achieved as an artist?

Well, I just wish my husband was alive to...

-He would have been 89 this week, Tom.

-Wow.

-I know.

-He'd have been very proud of him.

-He would.

He'd have been so proud of you and what you've achieved.

So much to catch up on, but thank you for surprising him.

-See you later, Mary. Lovely to see you.

-Very nice to see you, Mary.

-Made my day.

-Perhaps you've made mine.

Taking Tom back to the place that made him who he is today

has been inspirational.

Do you think you'd be an artist if it wasn't for this place?

No, I definitely wouldn't have been an artist without Treloar's.

But, most importantly, it's helped focus his mind.

If I can help somebody else have just the small amount of luck

and the good life I've had, it would be absolutely brilliant.

For Tom, this school is where real life began.

Without this place, he wouldn't be the artist he is today.

And do you know what? I don't think he'd be the MAN he is today.

His extraordinary resilience has allowed him to turn his life around

and now he wants to help someone else and give something back.

Our team have been hard of the case,

tracking down someone who we think would benefit from Tom's generosity.

16-year-old Cameron lives in Gravesend, Kent,

with his devoted mum, Lisa, and dad, Rob.

This is Cam's favourite meal and it's what he has day in, day out.

Cameron was born with a progressive muscle-wasting disease

and has been in a wheelchair since he was 11 years old.

Cameron is an absolutely amazing little boy.

He's loved by so many, he really, really is. And he's known for...

Once you see that smile, you don't forget it, you can't forget Cam.

-That's what he's known by.

-That's it. All gone.

-All gone.

As a baby, Cameron appeared fit and healthy.

It was only when he began to walk

that his parents suspected something was wrong.

He wouldn't run off with his cousins.

He always wanted to hold your hand

or wanted to be in the pushchair or wanted carrying.

At first it was, like, "You're just a bit lazy."

Then it was, "Actually, no, this isn't right."

The doctor just kept saying he was flat-footed.

The health visitor was saying there was nothing wrong,

but we knew there was something wrong. You do.

Cameron was sent for tests and at the age of three and a half,

he was diagnosed with Duchenne muscular dystrophy,

the most severe type of the muscle-wasting condition.

There is no cure and he will keep getting weaker.

Despite finally getting a diagnosis,

finding out was heartbreaking for Cameron's parents.

When you go from thinking he just needs

a bit of physio on his hips to suddenly finding out

that this little boy that you've got here, that's your first child

and, no matter what child it is, it's still your child,

and all of a sudden, your life has changed

and everything is done different.

Lisa was a travel agent before Cameron was born,

but has been unable to return to work

as she needs to look after him 24/7.

'Obviously, there's lots of tears

'and lots of heartache, but you do it. You have to.'

You cope and you get on with it.

'Some people say I'm brave. My easiest way to explain it'

is you just build a brick wall.

'Some people would probably think I actually look quite hard-faced

'and don't really show emotion,

'but that is my way of coping and dealing with things'

and just focussing on the here and now and the fun and the enjoyment.

Make it for me.

THEY LAUGH

Right, shoulder one.

Cameron is my little special soldier.

Um, he's just my little hero.

Cameron is also an extremely talented and budding artist.

He's a young man after Tom's own heart.

So, with these parallels, we've arranged for them to meet.

Um, I'm heading off to see a young man called Cameron.

I've been told he's about 16 years old.

He as a uniqueness, like I do, and he's also an artist.

So, I'm interested to know more about his art and his painting.

-Hi, Tom, all right.

-Hello.

-Come in. Nice to meet you.

Lisa and Cameron think we're making a programme

about children with disabilities.

They have absolutely no idea

that they could be in line for a generous gift

that could make a huge difference to their lives,

so this meeting is extremely important.

-Just go to the right and you'll see Cam.

-Ah.

-Hey, hey.

-Cam, this is Tom.

-You're up already.

-Tom, this is Cam.

-How are you?

-Take a seat.

Yeah, brilliant. Is this your cat then?

This is the family cat, Jess, yeah.

So, you're into your dinosaurs, yeah?

-Got a dinosaur bedroom, haven't you?

-Have you?

Cameron was just four years old

when his parents realised he had a talent for art.

He could copy pictures

of his favourite animals almost identically.

They've been encouraging his artistic ability ever since.

Cameron has even gone on to sell some of his artwork

and, so far, he's raised over £200.

This talent is, of course, what Tom's interested in hearing about.

What about painting?

Do you ever do any painting or is it always sort of drawing?

-Um, well, I painted him.

-He doesn't paint pictures as such.

-He's painted both of those.

-Oh, right, OK.

That was plain white and it came as a kit.

You got the dinosaur and some little paints and he painted it.

-That's fantastic.

-And painted that.

-Hey!

I paint, Cameron, with my mouth mainly.

I've been an artist for 30 years this year,

so nearly twice as long as you've been around, so it's a long time.

And the thing about it is that you have to keep trying new things

-because it becomes very boring otherwise.

-Mm-hmm.

-I want to try and learn how to do shading a bit better.

-Shading?

That's a good thing to do. I was never very good at shading.

Yeah.

Being artistic is something that Tom and Cameron have in common.

But Cameron also has another passion.

-So you like ALL types of animals?

-What's your favourite?

-Er, chameleons.

-What is it you want to do?

-I want to work with animals.

-Yeah, yeah, that's good.

-And keep drawing them as well.

-Mm-hmm.

Clearly, Tom can see the dedication Cameron has to his art.

There were boys at Tom's school who had muscular dystrophy,

so he's fully aware

that Cameron's physical condition will be worsening.

-So, he's losing his strength gradually?

-He is, yeah.

He can't pick up a cup like he used to be able to.

He used to be able to pick up a cup and drink out of it.

A lot of the time he needs a straw now, rather than, or help.

If he's reaching for something, a lot of the time now,

he uses that hand to get it and the other hand to...

-Pull the other hand to him.

-Yeah. That's it.

As Cameron's full-time carer, Lisa is on call night and day.

She has to wash and dress him,

give him medication, as well as a bit of physio,

and uses a hoist to get him in and out of bed.

Just like Tom's family, Cameron's parents are extremely positive

and do all they can to make life easier for him.

But being a wheelchair user makes access extremely tricky.

What about getting around and going places?

Is that an easy thing to do or is it more of a hassle...?

Obviously, you get used to what you do.

The obstacle is more you can't just cross a road

like everybody else can.

It's all about planning and trying to look ahead.

-Two.

-Thank you.

It's not just days out.

Holidays are incredibly difficult too.

There's only certain places that you can stay.

Obviously, most places cater for the accessible rooms now,

which is fine...

But not many of them have hoists and things, do they?

No, which is exactly what I was going to say.

We've got a mobile hoist and we have to take that,

which is an awful strain,

trying to drag that in the car and out the car and that sort of thing.

The main comparison between us

-is that I'm quite lucky in the fact that I'm mobile.

-Mmm.

It's just that I do things in a different way.

With me, I'm getting me ready and I'm getting Cam ready.

Cos, obviously, there's two us, there's a lot more involved.

It's lovely to have days out and early starts,

but it's just, it's hard work.

Tom can see the devotion and love Lisa has for Cameron,

how tough it is caring for her son,

and how Cameron's condition limits things they can all do together.

Tom would like to know what would make a difference

to Cameron and his family to give them a little bit of respite.

The one thing we really want to do with Cam -

we're going to look at it for next year -

is go somewhere like the New Forest or somewhere like that,

where you can stay in a lodge.

Obviously, it's got to be accessible,

but where you've got the animals

that actually come right up to the front door.

He'd absolutely love something like that,

so we want to look at that for next year.

But, again, it's got to be somewhere that's accessible.

It's things like that that you have to take into account.

The struggles that Cameron's family face in doing things

we all take for granted have become patently clear to Tom.

But their close-knit relationship has also struck a chord.

One of the things, I think, that's been really important to me,

in my life, has been the fact that I had a very strong family.

-Mm-hmm.

-And it seems, also, that Cameron's really lucky

-that he's got a really strong mum and dad.

-Yeah.

This meeting has, obviously, touched a nerve with Tom.

Well, thanks so much for inviting me to your home to meet Cameron.

Thank you for coming.

He's a lovely chap and I really hope

that he does really well with his art and his animal studies.

If he's carrying on with his painting,

when he has that exhibition,

-make sure he invites me to it.

-Definitely will, yeah.

Seeing Lisa and Cameron has reminded him of the love and support

he got from his family, who helped him get the best out of life.

He's very artistic, which is fantastic and it's just...

They're just a lovely family, aren't they?

And they understand how tough it is

for mum and dad to carry on every day,

doing the things that they need to do for him.

But he's such a positive young man.

Tom clearly sees Cameron as a young man

determined to pursue his artistic talent,

despite his physical challenges.

But deciding whether he can help Cameron and his family

is a huge undertaking.

So, he's taking advice from one of his oldest friends, Roger.

I've been to meet this lovely family - Lisa and her son, Cameron,

-who's a young 16-year-old kid who's got muscular dystrophy.

-Right.

And very arty. He likes drawing.

-Can he use his hands?

-Sort of, yeah.

He's getting to a stage now

where his ability is getting less and less.

-But he's going off to college next year to study animals.

-Right.

Yeah. But, you know, they've had quite a rough time, I think.

I mean, when your mum's the main carer...

Do you think there's a similarity to his background to yours?

Oh, definitely.

-I think the lucky thing that we've both got is strong family.

-Yeah.

My mum... As you know, my mum and my dad have always been behind me

and so has Cameron's mum, seems to be really strong.

So, you've met other people like this, haven't you?

-Well, yeah, a lot of my friends at school had muscular dystrophy.

-Yeah.

-And I know how progressive it is.

-Right.

And I think that it will get harder and harder -

-not only for him but for his family.

-Right.

So, where are you going to go with this?

Well, I'm hoping that we can look at helping him in some way.

What do you think? Do you think it would be a good thing to do?

Of course, obviously, to help people like that.

And you've been involved with disability

with people from Treloar's and everywhere

and the Mouth and Foot Painters.

You're always surrounded by people with disabilities

and you've always helped them

and, obviously you're in a position where you COULD help them.

Well, I hope you make the right decisions, Tom,

-and good luck to you.

-Thanks, Roger.

-My pleasure, Thomas.

Having Roger's reassurance that he's doing the right thing

means everything to Tom.

In Cameron and Lisa, we found that strong mother-son relationship

that Tom can relate to, as well as a close-knit, supportive family.

We've gone back. Now Tom needs to move forward

and decide in what way he can make a difference

to Cameron and his family.

So, I met up with Tom a week or so ago.

What a great guy he is and a fantastic artist.

I'm so impressed with what he's achieved in his life.

I suppose he's been lucky, in a way.

He's had his family with him, by his side, for the entire journey.

Well, now Tom has the opportunity to give something back

to budding artist Cameron who, with his mum and dad's support,

has had to overcome such a lot in his young life.

Let's go and find out what Tom has decided to do.

'Tom's waiting for me just up the road

'from where Cameron is having a day out with his mum, dad and granddad.

'So, time to find out exactly what he's planning.'

-Hey, Tom.

-Hello.

-How's things?

-Very good.

-You've seen Cameron.

I have. I've met Cameron and his mum. Lovely people.

-He's a pretty good artist, I hear.

-He's great. He's got a good eye.

Did it reinforce with you that desire to want to give

-something back to help him?

-Oh, absolutely.

It will be great to be able to do something for them.

I look at them and think things aren't going to be as easy

for the whole family, really.

Cos they haven't been easy up to now, really, though, have they?

No, but they're so positive. I mean, they're such a fantastic family.

A positive attitude - that reminds me of somebody else.

Er, oh, yeah, YOU! It's true, though.

-That's what you said to me, wasn't it?

-Yeah.

I think the main thing in life is to have a positive attitude.

Well, guess what I'm going to ask you. Are you going to help him?

-Oh, yeah, I will.

-In what way?

Going away for a holiday is incredibly difficult,

so what I'd like to give him is a holiday which is worth about £1,500.

-Wow!

-And it's at a place, a project that we started last year,

-made by disabled people for disabled people.

-Right.

We have things like ceiling hoists to get you in and out of bed

and we've got the electric beds, the sort of beds they have in hospitals

that rise and fall and have got sides on them.

It's one of the best places in England

for severely disabled people

to be able to go on holiday with access assured.

How brilliant for Cameron, but also how brilliant for his family.

But we've got the other things around.

We've found him a couple of tickets

to go a local zoo, which is wonderful.

-Cos he loves his animals.

-He loves his animals, yeah.

And with his drawing and his colouring,

so I'm sure we can help him with that as well.

How fantastic! So, a nice holiday,

a bit of inspiration and further his art and go to the zoo.

-Absolutely.

-Wow, what an incredible thing to give him.

I'm sure he's going to be thrilled.

Apparently, they're in the park close by.

-I think we should go and surprise them right now.

-Brilliant.

I've written it all down in a letter,

so describe what we're going to give them,

so I'd like to see what their faces look like when they read it.

Me too. Come on, let's go.

It's the moment we've all been waiting for -

telling Cameron and family what we've really been up to.

DOG BARKS

THEY LAUGH

-So, how are you feeling about this?

-Quite apprehensive.

I don't really know how it's all going to go, but...

It's a massive thing you're doing, you know.

Well, if it helps somebody, that will be really nice.

And I think that really, they're just such a lovely family.

Oh, look.

Right, they're here. Here we go. There's Cameron. I can see him.

She's just seen me, I think.

Hi, guys.

-Lisa?

-Hi.

-Hi, Rob.

How are you? Hi, Cameron. How are you?

-I'm Aled, Aled Jones from the BBC. How are you?

-Hiya.

-Nice to see you.

You thought we were doing a programme about disability.

-It's not the whole story, is it?

-No, not really.

I was very inspired by your family and how close it is to mine.

But I've put everything down in a letter

and I'd like you to read it, if you would.

If you don't mind reading it out loud. Is that all right?

-If I can see.

-If you can see. Oh, glasses!

Cameron, you didn't tell me that your mum wore glasses.

-Glasses and tears.

-And tears.

-Take your time.

"Dear Lisa, Rob and Cameron, it's been lovely meeting you.

"In such a short time, I realise how very positive you are as a family.

"Working with our artists in the Mouth And Foot Painting Association

"over the years, I've realised how difficult is it

"for many people with disabilities,

"especially those in wheelchairs, to go on holiday.

"You talked to me about the difficulties you have going away,

"especially having to take specialist equipment with you,

"and it's because of that I would like to offer you all

"a week's holiday in the beautiful Hampshire countryside.

"One of the projects I've been working on

"is to build a totally accessible holiday bungalow.

"The first is situated next to the famous Watercress steam railway.

"It's a large accommodation

"with all the specialist equipment you'll need.

"We've also organised tickets to Marwell Zoo..."

THEY LAUGH

-That's got a reaction!

-That's got him, that's got him!

"..which is situated close by.

"I look forward to welcoming you to Hampshire soon.

"Best wishes, Tom."

-What do you say? Thank you.

-It's a pleasure.

-Thank you so much.

And I've got the photos here. This is it.

If you're real ale drinkers, it's great,

cos they have real ale trains.

-How cool is that, eh?

-It's amazing, isn't it?

And, literally, just there, there's a steam railway that goes past.

-It's like the train that takes Harry Potter to school.

-Wow.

-Yeah.

I'm shaking.

And we'll do some painting when you come down and some drawing.

-How do you feel about that?

-Shocked.

-Yes, it's, um...

I'm really sorry to sneak up on you.

Your face was a bit of a picture. THEY LAUGH

That's one thing we never did when he was little, did we?

We were going to take him on the Thomas train

-and we never got round to doing that.

-But to be honest with you,

when you said "Zoo", that was it. It's all about the zoo!

-Wow. All right?

-Yeah.

This is going to be ace, it really is.

Very nice to meet you and I hope you have a fantastic holiday, OK.

-Thank you.

-Really great to see you.

-Thank you so much.

-It's a pleasure.

-Sorry to make you cry. Have a lovely holiday, OK.

-Thank you.

-All the best. Off we go. Come on.

-I'll see you again.

-Thank you.

-Bye-bye.

-Thank you, Tom.

-Bye.

-That went well.

-All right?

-Fantastic.

All right, kiddo?

-Was that a surprise or what?

-Weren't it just? Wow!

Didn't expect that, did you? 'Fantastic surprise.'

Absolutely fantastic, isn't it? Just don't know what to say.

SHE LAUGHS

We really don't know what to say. Overwhelmed.

Stuck for words and that don't happen often with me.

I think they were quite surprised. It was nice. But it's great.

It was a really nice opportunity to make something happen for somebody.

Yeah, I think it's going be ace, especially in the zoo.

I knew that bit would get you.

I'm over the moon, I really am. To see Cam be that happy

and for Cam to be able to go somewhere

and be happy is special, very special.

Just the break, having a break and having a holiday.

I mean, as the saying goes, holidays matter.

To be taught by Tom would be amazing, wouldn't it, eh?

-Mm-hmm.

-That would be fantastic. Not many people can say that, can they?

Yeah, I think that's a really good idea.

I enjoy drawing and it'll be better if I could make my drawings better.

It would be amazing, wouldn't it, that?

I'm so pleased that Tom was able to help Cameron and his family.

A week's break away from it all is just what they all need.

And seeing the joy on Cameron's face

when that word, "Zoo", was mentioned,

well, it was a picture to behold.