A 21-YEAR-OLD who suffers from a life-limiting illness is determined to not let it hold him back.

Full-time wheelchair user Taylor Henderson, from Barrow, suffers from Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) - a genetic disorder characterised by progressive muscle degeneration and weakness.

There is currently no cure for muscular dystrophy but a variety of treatments can help to manage the condition - one of them being hydrotherapy.

He wants to share his story to help others and is raising money to fix a school’s hydro-pool so he and others can exercise and maintain the best quality of life for as long as possible.

The Mail: Taylor Henderson celebrating his 21st birthday last November Taylor Henderson celebrating his 21st birthday last November

Taylor has been lucky enough to have been funded to use the pool at Sandside Lodge School in Ulverston.

However the pool is inoperational as it requires repairs costing around £5,000.

Taylor has set up a gofundme to help raise funds.

Taylor said: “I was so happy when Sandside granted me permission to use the facility. It’s just such a shame they are on their own and have to fund the fixtures themselves.

“I want to feel a sense of purpose in my life and help people.

"I know a lot of other boys who aren’t as lucky as me as they don’t have the wheelchairs I have at the moment so I’m hoping I can raise money to help get the pool fixed and it would be amazing if we went beyond our target so the school could have it in a pot if anything else went wrong."

The Mail: Taylor with his qualification certificates Taylor with his qualification certificates

Hydrotherapy involves the use of water for pain relief and treatment.

It is different from swimming as it involves performing special exercises in a warm-water pool and also very different from water aerobics as it focuses on controlled movements and muscle relaxation.

Taylor said: “A normal pool is too cold and there aren’t any changing facilities that are suitable for me. I’d need a hoist and a bed to change on.

“There is very little support in the area. I’ve had great difficulty when travelling also, sometimes I feel like I’m a second-class citizen.

“I just want to spread the word more widely about the condition so it’s more common and to help other people in a similar situation to mine.

“No-one understands as no-one has lived my life. I don’t have upper body strength so struggle to hold a drink. It is really hard and the pool gives me a freedom people without my condition take for granted.”

The Mail: Taylor says he wants to feel a purpose in life and help others Taylor says he wants to feel a purpose in life and help others

Forth engineering's Inter-Company Golf Tournament, as well as raising funds for other charities, raised £530 towards the target.

The current total stands at £1,053 out of the £5,000 goal Taylor is hoping to raise before school starts in September.

To donate to Taylors fundraiser you can donate at: https://gofund.me/e099299e

Taylor said: “Every penny counts. The smallest amount really makes a difference, it all adds up for such a good cause.”

Taylor is also looking for any volunteering work he can give a helping hand to. He has experience in media from college and enjoys computers.