IT’S understandable that when a family learnt that their new child would spend the rest of his life dealing with cerebral palsy they obviously worried about his standard of living - but eight years on nothing has stopped online sensation Louie George who’s grown into a ‘happy little soul’.
Louie - whose full name is Louie George Wood - has grown up surrounded by those who love him, especially mum Jodie Morgan, dad Tom and older brother Jake.
The endlessly loving family have helped Louie tackle all the challenges he faces, and despite living with the devastating movement disorder - which causes weak muscles, tremors and sees him spend much of his time in a wheelchair - the Mapplewell-based youngster still goes out and lives life to the full.
“Obviously when you’re told all the things he won’t be able to do you end up thinking about what the future holds,” mum Jodie told the Chronicle.
“But he’s smashed the ball out of the park - he’s just thriving.
“While he was growing up we never treated him any different to how we treated his older brother.
“We’ve always done everything with him and not let the disability hold him back - within reason obviously, but we let and help him do whatever he can.
“He’s gone out rock climbing and everything - he’s such a thrill seeker and loves life.
“He really is a happy little soul.”
Seven years back, when his parents began the Facebook page ‘Louie’s Pace’ to help raise funds that could support the disabled youngster, the family found a whole new community of people who cared for and backed him.
Now Jodie says they can’t even take ‘a quick five minute trip to the shop’ because they’re stopped by so many people who want to say hello.
He’s even ended up appearing on popular CBeebies show Mr Tumble in 2023 and met with British and Commonwealth boxing champion Callum Simpson.
Jodie added: “He has such a following, which is really lovely.
“It’s not just in the village, if we go into town people say hi - even going to Meadowhall people are coming up and asking if this is Louie.
“With Facebook, even from the start it was never just about fundraising, it was about raising awareness.
“I wanted people to see the kind of life people with cerebral palsy can still have and what he’s capable of.”
To celebrate Louie’s incredible achievements and all that he’s overcome in life, he has been nominated for the Young Conqueror category of this year’s Young Champions awards.
“He’s become a lot more aware of his own achievements.
“He’s at school in Sheffield now and if he does something in school and comes home with a certificate he’s really really proud of himself.
“Then he’ll ask to phone people to show them what he’s got - he understands that something he’s done has made everybody proud of him.
“We’re bursting with pride for him - obviously parents love their children anyway but when faced with all these obstacles in life he’s never let it stop him.”
