Scots schoolboy told he wouldn't live past first birthday granted sweet Spider-Man wish

Daily Record

22-05-2025

A Scots schoolboy who was told he wouldn't live to see his first birthday but continued to overcome the odds has received a Disney Wish to met his superhero idol Spider-Man.
Max Farmer, from Perth, was born healthy but then diagnosed with spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) type 1 – a rare and genetic condition that causes progressive muscle wasting - when he was just nine weeks old.
Doctors told his heartbroken parents he wouldn't live beyond 12 months. However, Max soon became the first child in Scotland to receive a groundbreaking new treatment.
Last week, the now eight-year-old's dream came true when he had a private meet-and-greet with Spider-Man at a special Make-A-Wish UK event in partnership with Disney.
Mum Elaine Donoghue, 48, told the Record: "It was absolutely magical and Max was so captivated by the characters he saw. It was such an inspirational and magical experience for our whole family.
"We had no idea he'd get to meet Spider-Man one-on-one. He showed him his Spidey moves and even introduced him to Strictly's Amy Dowden, it was unbelievable."
The event at Hoar Cross Hall Hotel in Burton-on-Trent was a specially designed experience for children with life-limiting conditions.
It was made possible through a referral from CHAS (Children's Hospices Across Scotland), where Max receives respite care through Rachel House in Kinross.
At nine weeks old Max stopped moving which led to the diagnosis of the condition that not only affects muscles in the arms and legs but also those needed for breathing and swallowing.
It was then Max was offered a place on a new drug trial just weeks later, becoming the first child in Scotland to get the Nusinersen (Spinraza) treatment through an expanded access programme.
Elaine said: "We were told he wouldn't make it to his first birthday. It was heartbreaking.
"He went through 21 lumbar punctures in five years, but it gave him a chance at life."
Now, Max is on a daily oral drug called Risdiplam, which means he no longer needs hospital stays or general anaesthetic to receive treatment.
Despite needing 24/7 care, Max is full of life. He goes to school every day, uses a power chair, and receives constant support from mum Elaine, dad Stewart, 47, and big sister Beth, 17.
Elaine said: "His day starts at 6.30am with medication and feeding, but he never complains. He's got a huge team around him, and he just takes it all in his stride.
"There are no words to describe what the experience done for us as a family. We wouldn't even be able to take him to Euro Disney in Paris, due to the equipment and meds, it would be unachievable.
'But this event was fully accessible. There were profiling beds, hoists, proper changing places – everything we needed. They covered everything.
"It was a dream come true for him to meet Spider-Man and we made memories which will last a lifetime."
Max, who is under the care of nearly every major hospital in Scotland, continues to defy expectations.
"He's just incredible. He's happy, he's funny, he loves school - and he's living his best life, in the way he can. We are exceptionally lucky to be able to call ourselves his parents."
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