Joshua up in the air with his trampoline

BY ROSEMARY MCLENNAN

A Riverstone Terraces boy with cerebral palsy received a trampoline last week, put up in his backyard by Variety supporters.

Joshua Pask, 8, had missed out a presentation at Westpac Stadium because of an operation to remove a plate from his hip a couple of days earlier.

So supporters of Variety the Children's Charity visited him in their fire engine and put up the spring-free trampoline valued at more than $1800.

He cannot use it until he gets his stitches out but it is expected it will help his mobility and balance.

Mum Christine Pask says Joshua was born three months' premature and had three strokes in the neo-natal unit.

But she and husband Nigel are determined to give Joshua as normal a life as possible.

They have a supportive network of family, friends and church.

Their home is purpose-built around Joshua's needs and he is taxied with other Upper Hutt children to Wellington's Kimi Ora School for Physically Disabled Children.

The routine of attending school enables Mrs Pask to work part-time.

Joshua uses a walking frame, and while he cannot talk, he is learning to sign.

He has "excellent" hearing but has some problems with his sight.

Mrs Pask says the couple's only child is a "very determined boy" and has a "most gorgeous personality and wicked sense of humour".

Through Joshua, the family has become involved with the Variety Club. Mrs Pask applied to the organisation on behalf of Kimi Ora for a "sunshine coach" which enables the school to take children on outings.

Joshua helped Governor-General Sir Anand Satyanand officially open a "liberty swing" in a park in Island Bay.

It accommodates a person sitting in a wheelchair.

- Upper Hutt Leader