Brave East Kilbride schoolboy living in quarantine with life-threatening illness after cancelled brain op

Michael McNulty was due to fly to Spain for his long-awaited treatment on March 22 – the day before lockdown measures took effect – but Mikey and his mum were crushed when they had to cancel plans. The specialist Chiari Institute in Barcelona that the family had fought so hard to afford treatment at, had also cancelled all operations because of the pandemic. Mikey, who turned 10 last month, was diagnosed with the incurable neurological disorder Chiari Malformation three years ago, flagged up after an accident at school. For the past year, the sports-mad youngster – who plays for Paisley Basketball Club, South Lanarkshire Colliers and EK Rolls Royce FC – has suffered migraines, sickness, exhaustion and sleep apnea. The pioneering surgery has already proved highly successful in alleviating pain and symptoms in other children, and is Mikey’s best shot at a normal life. He then had a video call with his favourite player Murray Hendry.” Donna added: “Though things can deteriorate and flare up at any time, we have been lucky he is doing so well.”