Injured duckling helps teach wheelchair boy to walk

He was expected to spend his life in a wheelchair, but here's Finlay Lomax taking his first steps after learning to walk by copying a disabled duckling. The four-year-old suffered a stroke as a baby and developed cerebral palsy. Doctors told his mum Becci he'd never be able to stand on his own two feet.

But he began studying the way pet duckling Ming-Ming walked with a splayed leg and started mimicking him. He told astonished Becci: "I walk like the duck mummy."

She said: "I had been told Finlay might never be able to walk so it's amazing to think he is taking steps thanks to the duckling. He's been having physio all his life but never really responded until we got the duckling."



Becci, 29, took in tiny Ming-Ming after a farmer friend told her the duckling struggled to walk because of his bad leg and was going to be put down.

A vet gave the duck physiotherapy and fitted him with a splint. He began to ' home as his leg strengthened. Single mum Becci, of Plymouth, Devon, added: "As soon as Ming-Ming started physio and began walking so did Finlay. I was brimming with pride. Finlay has really taken to the him. He is now much stronger and it's great to see him walking.

"I've told him if he works hard then one day he will be able to take Ming-Ming for walks on a lead. That is what he is really working towards."

There are more photos here.