A DISABLED Teesdale boy has proved life has no limits after becoming the star of a high street fashion campaign which celebrates diversity.
Five-year-old Teddy Berriman, who lives at Burnt Houses, has been hired to model the new children’s clothing range for the well-known fashion brand River Island. Teddy was born prematurely at 32 weeks and spent the first two weeks of his life in intensive care.
At two, doctors discovered that Teddy was brain damaged. Following an MRI scan, he was diagnosed with a neuromuscular disorder called spastic quadriplegia, a disabling form of spastic cerebral palsy.
The condition mainly affects his lower limbs meaning that he can’t walk, stand or sit unaided. He needs round-the-clock care and must use a frame or wheelchair to move around. He also suffers from three different types of epilepsy, autism, is partially sighted and is incontinent.
Last June, Teddy was signed up by Zebedee Management, a modelling agency which specialises in representing people with disabilities.
In November, he attended his first photo shoot and proved he is not camera shy.
Teddy’s face is now a prominent feature in River Island stores nationwide as part of the brand’s latest campaign, Labels Are For Clothes, which celebrates individuality.
Teddy’s mum, Nicola Short, said: “Teddy loved it. He really enjoyed it. He gets so excited when he sees his face in shops. His face lights up. It’s me, look, he says.”
The Butterknowle Primary School pupil is one of six children to be selected to represent the brand. Each of the children, who are aged between three and ten, has a disability such as cerebral palsy, Down’s syndrome or sight issues.
Ms Short said: “As a mother of a child with disabilities it’s obviously fantastic to have the opportunity to promote diversity and acceptance.”
Teddy, who also attends Percy Hedley School, in Newcastle, for conductive education sessions, is now waiting to catch a glimpse of himself on TV.
He is to feature in a children’s television show which will be aired on CBeebies in June.
Ms Short added: “It’s a massive boost for Teddy’s self-esteem. It is also a great achievement for myself and the professionals involved in Teddy’s development. We are ecstatic.”
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