If little Billy Thomson has his wish granted in time for Christmas it could see him speak to his parents for the first time.
The seven-year-old from Kelty suffers from severe autism and Aspergers syndrome, which means he does not talk and is visually impaired.
Children’s charity Dreams Come True has launched an appeal for donations to buy him sensory equipment which would make progress in his speech more likely.
His father Bryan said: “To have Billy’s dream come true will mean the world to him.”
The sensory equipment would help keep Billy, of Kelty, calm enough to do language work at school and cope better with day-to-day life.
Bryan said: “If that were to happen it would completely change his and our lives.
“He would be able to talk to mum, dad and his teachers for the first time.”
Billy only communicates with Bryan and mum Sarah using picture cards to say what he would like and how he feels.
He can become anxious about noise and certain textures, such as rough surfaces, but equipment like a hug jacket and vibrating necklace calm him down.
Colourful lights, ultraviolet light and other equipment such as sensory blocks and vibrating bubble tubes also help reduce his anxiety.
Billy’s wish of new equipment is one of 12 which Dreams Come True hopes to grant in its Christmas appeal for children with serious and life-limiting conditions.
To donate to the appeal visit www.dreamscometrue.uk or text TRUE12 £5 to 70070.
* For more on this story see Monday’s Courier, also available as a digital edition.
