West Lothian dad with cerebral palsy who suffered stroke as baby realises dream
A West Lothian dad has shared his inspirational story of achieving his dreams after being diagnosed with cerebral palsy.
Jamie Mitchell, 28, was born three months premature alongside his twin brother, Lewis.
The brothers had to stay in the Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh for six months after their birth, with the pair weighing just over one pound each when they were delivered. Jamie explained he ended up with complications that his twin did not have at birth.
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After being let out of the hospital, disaster struck for Jamie and his family when he was blue-lighted to the Sick Kids after he stopped breathing and suffered a stroke in his cot. As a result of his turbulent start in the world, Jamie has lived with cerebral palsy all his life.
But he is proud of the fact that he never let it hold him back, as he pushed himself to keep up with his more physically abled twin and class mates. Fast-forward to today, and Jamie is now living in his hometown with his fiancé Eve and one-year-old daughter Maeva.
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Not only this, but the lab worker is also a Scottish international, who has won over 60 caps for his country and has won a World Championship for Scotland's cerebral palsy team.
'My twin brother and I were born three months premature,' he said. 'I was born one pound two and my brother was one pound four.
'We were in the hospital for six months and after a couple of weeks being at home, I stopped breathing in my cot and suffered a stroke. I got bluelighted to St John's and then the Sick Kids and was later diagnosed with cerebral palsy.
'My brother never ended up with any of the health issues after our complicated birth, but I did. For as long as I can remember, I've had a disability.
'It was not until I turned four that I was able to walk. Before that my brother would just push me around everywhere in a little red car.
'I'm really lucky as my dad and gran would take me to private physio three to four times a week, where I'd do excessive stretching and muscle building sessions. It really helped my cerebral palsy, especially with my hands and legs.
'It is funny when you are younger, and you see your brother doing all these things at a higher level than you, it did feel unfair. I remember arguing with my dad and grandparents about it, I'd get jealous of my brother playing for better teams when it came to sports.
'But I was never discriminated against or made to feel any different. I obviously knew something was different as I'd get regular operations and have to wear splints, which my brother didn't.
'I'd get more tired than him when we were running about and being a twin you always compare yourself. He was definitely the better footballer then but I am now.
'Teachers and other pupils were great as I was never treated differently and I was one of the better players for our school team despite my disability. I think since I was good at PE I was alright, no one bullied me.'
Jamie explained how the splints and physio helped his cerebral palsy and ensured his arms and legs were not as badly impacted as they could have been. But as he became a teenager, he noticed his coordination was not at the level of his brother or his peers.
Despite his physical difficulties, his dad would never let him use it as an excuse, pushing him to adapt and cope. Something Jamie said he is extremely grateful for.
'When I was younger, I'd struggle to pick things up with my left hand, but my dad would never let me feel down about it or use it as an excuse,' he added. 'You were encouraged to adapt.
'Having an able bodied brother I just wanted to be the exact same. I never wanted my disability to limit me.'
Jamie ended up being noticed when he was playing against his brother's team when they were around 14-years-old. Greg Taylor, who coached his brother and was also the technical director for the cerebral palsy national team, spotted Jamie playing with a limp.
He approached the teen and asked him if he would ever consider trying out for the national side but he was reluctant.
'I wasn't for it at first,' he said. 'But then I showed up and was given a Scotland kit and told to meet the guys.
'I was a 14-year-old entering a team of grown men. But I'd never seen anything like it, all the sessions were planned out and you got a physio with all the equipment, meal plans - it was professional.
'I remember playing with them for the first time and thinking these guys are quality. I got selected to play in Dublin, but it was scary, I'd never left my dad before.
'It improved me so much as a player and it meant a lot to play for Scotland. At high school I wasn't picked for the best teams like my brother and that absolutely killed me.
'Now I'm sitting on 66 caps having scored in the World Championship final and won the tournament for Scotland.'
Jamie said he not only improved as a footballer but he also learned valuable life skills representing his country. He is now looking towards the European Championship later this year but he has argued the cerebral palsy team does not get the support or recognition it deserves.
'It is hard to put into words how much it means to me to play for Scotland,' he said. 'It is my life, my main priorities are my family and my football.
'People don't see the other side of it. I have a weekly routine where I am up early, off to work, being a dad and a husband, but also having to train all the time and follow regimented meal plans.
'It is not something to get into if you are not committed. My wife sometimes jokes when I go off to camp or a competition that I'm away on holiday, but the reality is that if I'm not playing or training, then I'm recovering or sleeping.
'People think we just show up and have a disability kick about but the standard is unbelievably high. I've done things kids our ages dream of, I've captained my country against England and at the Euros, scored a goal in a World Championship final and played in three major finals for my country.
'How many Scots can say that? We must be up there with one of the most successful Scottish football teams in history.
'Although it bothers me, we have to fundraise to represent our country. With our success, why do we have to ask our family, friends and local businesses to support us?
'How is that acceptable? Because we have a disability we are treated differently in my opinion.'
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Despite his own grit and determination taking him to 66 international caps, Jamie is adamant he would not be where he is today if not for the support of his family. He thanked his brother, Lewis, dad, Mark and his late grans Anne and Christine as well as his wife and daughter for sacrificing to help him get where he is today.
'Me and my brother had a rough childhood so it was always me, my dad and my brother and our grans,' he said. 'They all helped me so much.
'Also, if I did not have the partner I have, there is no way I could do this. She is so supportive of me and understands this is something I need to do.
'We know it will end one day as I'm not getting any younger but she thinks while I'm able, she will support it. I owe everything to her and my family.'
Jamie and his teammates will have to raise £1,500 in order to be able to compete at the Euros. To support Jamie's GoFundMe, click here.
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