From learning to walk again to trying to get into college - a Welwyn Garden City boy looks towards his future as he recovers from a life-changing illness. 

Susan Bates, the mum of 15-year-old Luke, has shared her son's story in hopes of helping others feel less lonely when going through similar issues in life. 

In 2016, eight-year-old old Luke had contracted strep throat and scarlet fever, which he had caught from someone in his class. 

He did not recover from these illnesses for a long time, but he continued on with his normal life. However, January 2017 "his life just stopped." 

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Susan said: "Basically he never really recovered. He carried on with his hospital visits but in January his life just stopped, and he was in absolute agony, and he got very very ill." 

Welwyn Hatfield Times: Luke with his dog, Choco, who has been by his side for the last seven years.Luke with his dog, Choco, who has been by his side for the last seven years. (Image: Susan Bates)

Luke's family was told he had glandular fever which spread into his brain. This caused neurological and physical issues. 

He could not bear light or sound and "his life stopped in the last seven years". 

Susan added: "He has missed out on all of school since Year 5, but he is the most amazing boy and he's had a hard time, but I am happy to talk about it now as it can help others. 

Welwyn Hatfield Times: Luke has missed out on all of school since year five.Luke has missed out on all of school since year five. (Image: Susan Bates)

"Since it's such a rare case, I've had to manage everyone and everything that's been going on. It's been tough and hard. 

"Luke's been like a guinea pig at the hospital and the schools. Normally when a child is sick, they come back to school, but he could not, he has had to learn to walk again." 

Three years into his illness, and after an operation, Luke still had strep throat, leading to him having PANDAS symptoms permanently - a syndrome that involves sudden and often major changes in personality, behaviour, and movement in children following an infection involving strep. 

Welwyn Hatfield Times: Three years into this illness, and after an operation, Luke still had strep throat, and this led to him having PANDAS symptoms permanently.Three years into this illness, and after an operation, Luke still had strep throat, and this led to him having PANDAS symptoms permanently. (Image: Susan Bates)

He was initially diagnosed with chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) and he started treatment in 2020. 

He started to recover even though he would get monthly infections. He then had a third operation and started treatment for PANDAS.

Luke's mother added: "He was too ill to function, and he couldn't do anything or learn anything. He was in darkness most of the time and in a lot of pain." 

Welwyn Hatfield Times: Once Luke had stopped his treatment for PANDAS, he started bleeding every day and after multiple biopsies and colonoscopies, and they found out he had inflammation of the liver.  Once Luke had stopped his treatment for PANDAS, he started bleeding every day and after multiple biopsies and colonoscopies, and they found out he had inflammation of the liver.   (Image: Susan Bates)

Once Luke had stopped his treatment for PANDAS after two years, he started bleeding every day and after a biopsy and colonoscopy operation, it was discovered he had ulcerative colitis (IBD) which spread to his liver.  

"It was like the inflammation had gone from his brain to his stomach, to his bowels and then to his liver.  

"It has taken a year to get his inflammation under control, but he is in remission at the moment, but he does have pancolitis - inflammation and ulcers of the colon," the 48-year-old mum said. 

Welwyn Hatfield Times: It has taken a year to get his inflammation under control, but he is in remission at the moment, but he does have pancolitis.It has taken a year to get his inflammation under control, but he is in remission at the moment, but he does have pancolitis. (Image: Susan Bates)

Currently Luke is doing two-hours of school but as he hadn't started secondary school, he has a one-to-one teacher to help him get back on track.

Luke is on an educational healthcare plan at the Ridgeway Academy. 

The 15-year-old hopes to go to college soon to follow his dream of becoming a film director. 

Susan said: "If you met him, you wouldn't believe it. He is the most amazing boy, and he is everything I want him to be. 

Welwyn Hatfield Times: If you met him, you wouldn't believe it. He is the most amazing boy, and he is everything I want him to be. If you met him, you wouldn't believe it. He is the most amazing boy, and he is everything I want him to be.  (Image: Susan Bates)

"He is confident, well spoken, he's amazing after going through so much. 

"He has missed out on so many years of life from going to school, to having friends but he is such an inspiration. Even though he has this chronic illness where there is no cure, to him it's nothing." 

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Welwyn Hatfield Times:  He still has many issues, but I appreciate being able to see him walk, leave the house or put on his uniform.  He still has many issues, but I appreciate being able to see him walk, leave the house or put on his uniform.  (Image: Susan Bates)

Speaking about how she coped over the years, Susan said: "I have been in a bubble because Luke was very sporty before he got ill and when his life just stopped, I couldn't bear to see other children being out and about living their life.  

"It was devastating so I came off of social media. 

"But we are in a good place now. He still has many issues, but I appreciate being able to see him walk, leave the house or put on his uniform. 

"I was told to grieve for the son I've lost, but now I feel like I've got him back and it's amazing."