Uckfield boy beats the odds to get karate black belt (From The Argus)

Uckfield boy beats the odds to get karate black belt

11:30am Thursday 30th December 2010 in News By Anna Roberts

Two years ago Alex Haynes could not walk down the stairs at his home.

Alex, who was born prematurely, had open heart surgery aged just six months old and surgery on his windpipe weeks later.

His health has been affected ever since.

But now the 11-year-old has amazed family and friends by gaining his black belt in karate.

His mother Ann, 45, said Alex was very ill when he was born.

He was cared for at a specialist unit at Guy’s Hospital in London, had weak kidneys, a windpipe which had not fully grown, partial deafness and speech difficulties.

Aged seven Alex underwent further surgery to remove his non-functioning kidney. Alex will have to endure further operations and tests as he gets older, and at some point he will need a new heart valve.

His balance and co-ordination is affected, he has poor eyesight and he gets tired easily due to his reduced heart and lung function.

But Alex, a Year Seven student at Uckfield Community Technology College in Downsview Crescent, Uckfield, refuses to let these issues hold him back.

Mrs Haynes, an environmental health officer, and her husband Clive, 47, are extremely proud of their son.

She said: “We don’t treat him differently to other children and so he does not act differently.

“He has worked really hard at karate and is disciplined – but he enjoys it too.

“It is amazing how well he has done, especially considering he gets tired easily and has problems with his balance.”

Alex, of Tainters Brook, Uckfield, attends karate sessions at Manor Primary School in Downsview Crescent, Uckfield.

His seven-year-old brother Richard also attends and he too is well on the way to gaining his black belt.