A TEENAGE equestrian and patient at Stanmore’s Royal National Orthopaedic Hospital will be a torchbearer at the 2012 London Olympics.
Michael Murphy has the rare condition Dejerine-Sottas, which causes severe muscle weakness and loss of sensation in the limbs. He underwent spinal surgery at the hospital in Brockley Hill on September 5 to correct the curvature in his spine, before returning home.
The teenager was selected by Lloyds TSB, as presenting partners of the London 2012 Olympic Torch Relay, because he is part of the Lloyds TSB Local Heroes programme through which he visits schools to inspire youngsters to take up sport.
The 14-year-old, who is the youngest winner of a 2* Senior Para Dressage international competition, said: “This has come as a great surprise.
“My main aim is of course to focus on the 2016 Paralympic Games but in the meantime, this will be a really nice distraction.”
Michael’s mother Sue Murphy added: “I would like to say a huge thank you to Mr Nordeen and his team at the hospital for their specialist support to date and the fantastic correction they have carried out on Michael’s spine.”
The teenager, who is from Mill Hill and coached at Penniwells Riding School for the Disabled in Elstree, Hertfordshire, was invited back by the hospital to its Aspire National Training Centre.
There, they surprised him with the torchbearer announcement, which was made by Ade Adepitan, Paralympic bronze medallist in wheelchair basketball at the 2004 Paralympics in Athens.
