Motocross-loving teen is forced to spend his 18th birthday in hospital after crash left him paralysed

A young motocross enthusiast spent his 18th birthday in the hospital and was paralyzed as a result of an accident he had while cycling with his father.

James Wilson, a ‘keen racer’ since the age of 10, fell off his bike while in Oxfordshire for a race at the weekend.

The accident left James with a broken back and damaged spinal cord.

After an examination by doctors, it was understood that the young man’s spinal cord injury was serious and that he would not be able to walk again.

The accident occurred just a few months before James’ 18th birthday, tragically robbing him of the cherished independence that comes with adulthood and leaving him to celebrate this milestone in his hospital bed.

But according to James’s mother, Sharon Wilson, her headstrong son remained in good spirits throughout the ordeal and still enjoyed a celebratory pint on his birthday.

Despite the doctor’s illness, the family has not lost hope and is raising money so that James can receive physiotherapy treatment abroad and regain some movement.

Ms Wilson told the Daily Mail: ‘Nothing hurts more than when your child suffers. It would mean the world to us to at least try to help him so we know we’ve tried everything possible.’

James with his mother Sharon Wilson. The teenager, who has been a ‘keen racer’ since the age of 10, fell off his bike while in Oxfordshire for a race at the weekend

The 50-year-old drug buyer recalled making the harrowing journey down from his family’s home in Essex to be with his son.

‘The only thing I knew immediately after the accident was that he couldn’t feel his legs. ‘I immediately got in the car and set off for Oxfordshire,’ he recalled.

‘It was the longest journey of my life. I didn’t know what I was driving towards, whether it was a head injury or not. But when I got there there wasn’t even a scratch on it but obviously all the damage was internal.’

Before the accident, Mrs Wilson said her son had a real passion for motocross.

He said: ‘He was a very good boy. While all his friends were out drinking and doing other things, he always said he wanted to stay healthy for motocross by eating right and taking vitamins.’

Ms Wilson added that James was looking forward to gaining the independence that comes with adulthood, but this was taken away from him.

The mother said: ‘[James] He’s frustrated because he’s just getting to an age where he’ll have a lot more independence, but now he’s back to asking his mom to do everything for him, and he hates it, but he’s in good spirits.

Even though James celebrated his milestone 18th birthday while he was still in the hospital, the family still managed to make it a celebration and he even enjoyed his first legal beer.

After an examination by doctors, it became clear that James’ spinal cord injury was serious, meaning he would not be able to walk again. Despite the doctor’s illness, the family has not lost hope and is collecting money for James to receive physical therapy abroad.

‘Before the accident he had just gotten his first job at the local chippy and was taking driving lessons and going to university. ‘James wanted to go to university and get an apprenticeship in investment banking, but all that was postponed.’

Even though James celebrated his milestone 18th birthday while still in the hospital, the family still managed to make it a celebration.

‘We left the hospital and headed to a nearby restaurant where James was able to enjoy his first legal pint and a few of his friends came along so we could celebrate as best we could.’

James is now back home and attending college two days a week to help his recovery The family have set up a Go Fund Me page to raise money so he can travel abroad for specialist physiotherapy.

Ms Wilson admitted she wasn’t expecting a miracle but hoped the treatment could still restore some of her independence.

‘Even if he can walk a few 100 metres, or even a mile, or enter a bar or restaurant without a wheelchair, it will make life easier for him.

‘Nothing hurts more than your child suffering. “It would mean the world to us to at least try to help him, to know that we’ve tried everything possible,” he said.

While his family makes the difficult decision to sell one of their motorcycles, James’ friends pitch in by organizing a bake sale.

Before the accident, Ms. Wilson said her son had a passion for motocross. He said: ‘He was a very good boy. While all his friends were out drinking and doing other things, he always said he wanted to stay healthy for motocross by eating right and taking vitamins.

James is in the hospital. Mrs Wilson admitted she was not expecting a miracle but hoped her son could regain some of his independence with the right treatment

They have raised nearly £10,000 so far and Sharon said she has been overwhelmed by people’s generosity.

She said: ‘Someone gave us £1,000 anonymously and we were all so touched by it, I burst into tears when it arrived.

‘The kindness of people is truly extraordinary. This blew us away.”

To donate to James’ fundraiser Click here.