TV nanny steps in as George goes on mission to save sister

George Laws has a range of superhero costumes and when his sister was diagnosed with a rare brain disorder it became his mission to save her.

But when the six-year-old began making as many as costume changes a day, posing as a range of characters from Batman to Buzz Lightyear, his parents realised his desire to help was getting out of control.

The family appeared on TV’s Jo Frost: Extreme Parental Guidance to try to help George who had vowed to use his super powers to save his three-year-old sister Maddie, who was diagnosed with Rett Syndrome last year.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

The condition, which affects girls, means that although Maddie was a healthy one-year-old, her brain, instead of developing has taken a step backwards and she is now unable to talk, walk or feed herself.

Mum Kelly, 34, of Pudsey, Leeds, said: “He wasn’t concentrating at school, he would say that he didn’t need to read because he was a superhero, he didn’t need to eat because he was a superhero.

“He was living in a fantasy world and genuinely thought he could save Maddie’s brain. Maddie being diagnosed was a massive shock for George but things have definitely improved since Jo’s visit.”

Jo Frost, also known as Supernanny, used a variety of tactics to help curb George’s mission to save Maddie’s brain, introducing a special clock which broke the day down into sections where George was able to wear his costumes.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

George’s parents, Kelly and Simon, have become involved with the Rett Syndrome Research Trust.

Kelly added: “Maddie’s diagnosis was a shock and our lives are ruled by her needs. But we are keeping positive and doing our best to raise funds and awareness in the hope a cure can be found.”

More information about the Research Trust can be found online – at www.reverserett.org.uk .

Related topics: