A YOUNGSTER who suffers from a muscle-wasting condition is slowly regaining his independence after being promised a temporary wheelchair so he can move around himself.

The family of three-year-old Leyton Wright from Darwen are still trying to raise £25,000 to get him SnapDragon-powered wheelchair which is specifically designed for children with spinal muscular atrophy (SMA).

The condition, which Leyton was diagnosed with in 2014, is untreatable and has left him unable to walk.

But while the family continues to raise cash the NHS promised to supply Leyton with a chair that he can self-propel, which is an improvement on the standing frame he already has without wheels.

Leyton’s mum Tammy said that the standing frame he currently has has been hurting his legs a lot.

She said: “Leyton will barely stay in the frame he has for more than 10 minutes because he has a bend in his leg and the way it is designed is hurting him.

“He is getting this new one with wheels on Monday which we know he loves because he’s tried it out.

“It’s going to help him keep his strength up, we don’t want him to lose that.

“We’re hoping he will also be able to stay in it for longer which will mean that he can do more and move around more.

“He’s can start to live more like a three-year-old should and feel more normal.”

SMA is a genetic disease that causes muscle weakness and progressive loss of movement, and occurs due to deterioration in the nerve cells connecting the brain and spinal cord to the body’s muscles.

Leyton’s parents both carry the gene that causes Type Two SMA, which is not life-threatening, but do not suffer from the disease themselves.

Leyton has also had access to an electronic seat which he has been using at nursery called a Wizzybug.

The seat is designed for disabled children but is not specifically catered to Leyton’s condition, like the SnapDragon chair would be, as this can move up and down in order to manoeuvre between different levels.

Mrs Wright said he had been able to start using the seat at nursery.

She said: “The Wizzybug has enabled Leyton to interact with children more, he’s loving it.

“He’s starting school next year, I can’t believe it, so I hope he will have similar independence there.”