A COURAGEOUS schoolboy who is being ravaged by an incurable illness is now too sick to attend lessons.

Michael Strangwood, aged nine, insisted on walking into school at the start of term last month, even though a genetic disease meant he was virtually confined to a wheelchair. Michael is a victim of the rare disease adrenoleukodystrophy (ALD) which featured in the box-office hit movie Lorenzo's Oil.

It only affects young boys, attacking an enzyme which breaks down fatty acids, eventually robbing them of their senses.

And his mum Pamela, 36, told of the impromptu display of love from many of his school mates, when they lined up at playground railings as Michael left St Paul's Primary School in Astley Bridge last Tuesday.

Fighting back tears, Pamela, said: "It was really upsetting for me when some of the girls came over to the car to say goodbye to Michael. They didn't want him to go. A lot of children were up against the railings to say goodbye to Michael. I would imagine this is something some of those children will never forget. We have already decided that Michael will go back to visit his school."

It is just six months since the disorder was diagnosed.

But it has attacked his brain leaving Michael blind, nearly deaf and virtually unable to speak. Soon he will lose the use of his legs.

And in just a few months time, if doctors' forecasts are correct, the little boy will slip into a permanent vegetative state.

Now, just a month after the BEN revealed his plight, the youngster, who is still full of love and laughter despite his terrible ordeal, has had to give up school as his condition deteriorates.

Although his illness had worsened, Michael insisted on walking into the playground on his final day at the school -- where he had received special one-to-one tuition -- rather than be pushed in a wheelchair.

And in a touching tribute his pals even made a special 'Miss You' card, featuring a bright yellow sun on the front and which they had signed inside.

Teaching staff at the Newnham Street school also presented him with a 'You're a star' card, packed with messages of love.

Yesterday a spokesman at the school praised Michael's bravery: "He has been an absolutely brilliant pupil and the whole school is really sad that he has had to leave.

"Everybody here is going to miss him dreadfully and we wish him all the best while he is at home."

Michael was too upset to attend Green Fold Special School in Farnworth, as had initially been planned, and now his parents Pamela and Paul have decided to care for their son at home.

Pamela added: "Green Fold is a really good school but it's just the situation we're in with Michael. Paul and I have decided that for the short time we have got Michael he has a right to be happy and not upset."

When I visited him this week, in an amazing display of bravery against the odds, the young boy who now relies on smell to identify people and places, enjoyed a play fight with his mum.

He laughed heartily as he blew raspberries on Pamela's hands and chortled as she patted his tummy at the family home on the Oldhams estate in Astley Bridge. And in heartbreaking touches of affection Michael regularly hugged and kissed his mum.

Pamela, who has given up work at Asda's Astley Bridge store to care for her son, added: "Most of the time he's a happy little boy. The only time he gets frustrated is when we can't tell what he is saying."

Next week work on a house extension is due to begin to provide a downstairs bedroom and bathroom facilities for Michael as his illness worsens.

And the family are now getting extra help and respite care from Derian House children's hospice in Chorley, which Michael has attended on three occasions.

Pamela said: "The worst thing is having to leave Michael if he is crying but we have to do it for our sake because we get so tired and we have another child, Andrew, who also needs our attention."

Anyone who wants to donate to the Michael Strangwood Appeal should contact Jeff or Tracey on 01926 833665 or post their donation to: Michael Strangwood Appeal, c/o Camberwell House, 13a Radford Road, Leamington, CV31 1NF.