Mum noticed toddler had slight limp which turned out to be sign of rare aggressive cancer

Mum noticed toddler had slight limp which turned out to be sign of rare aggressive cancer Little Maxton Bowman has 'been through more than most adults' at the age of two, mum Coralle has said, as she revealed how her son has bravely battled lymphoblastic leukaemia A mum has told how she noticed her toddler had a 'bit of a limp' - only to discover he had a rare and aggressive form of cancer. Maxton Bowman, two, had only just learned to walk when his mum Coralle, 37, and Mark, 49, noticed he was walking strangely. Within weeks, he could no longer use his legs at all. Maxton was rushed to Royal Victoria Infirmary in Newcastle after developing a concerning blood rash in September 2025, where he was sent for blood tests. The results confirmed Maxton had lymphoblastic leukaemia - a rapid, fast-growing blood cancer. Maxton has undergone months of intensive care and is currently waiting for his next round of chemotherapy, as his neutrophil levels - which affect his immune system - are too low for him to begin his next round. Coralle, a homeschooling teacher, from Shildon, County Durham, said: "There was no emotion, I went straight into mummy mode, straight into protection mode. "I told the doctor, 'You've got no choice, you've got to save him'. It's a little bit worrying, but as a family we just try to keep as positive as possible. When I think, that's when I shut down. If I go down, my family goes down, and I can't have that happening. We don't know how to relax. We're always on alert. We're always heightened." Maxton, who is autistic and non-verbal, had already faced challenges from birth. He was born not breathing, and spent his earliest days in hospital before being allowed home after seven days. Despite his complex needs, including developmental delay and a sensory condition, Coralle describes him as a "very happy little boy" who "lives in his own little world". Just before his second birthday, Maxton reached a major milestone - learning to walk. “He was running around like a normal toddler,” Coralle said. "He used to go on his tiptoes like a little ballerina.” Not long after, she noticed his left foot starting to turn outwards, and soon afterwards he developed a limp. Within a matter of weeks, his condition deteriorated dramatically, and he lost the use of both legs. Maxton was taken to the hospital multiple times, but blood results initially appeared normal, adding to the confusion. The turning point came when he developed a rash, and his behaviour dramatically changed. A blood test in September 2025 revealed that his blood platelet count had dropped to dangerously low levels. Coralle said: "He had what I can only describe as a blood rash, and his cry was different. You could tell he was in pain." Maxton was rushed to the Royal Victoria Infirmary in Newcastle the morning after. After another blood sample test, Maxton was diagnosed within hours, and treatment began almost immediately. Since then, he has undergone months of intensive care, including repeated surgeries, blood transfusions and chemotherapy. At one stage, he lost the use of his legs again as a result of treatment. Coralle said: "He’s been through more than most adults" The side effects have been severe, and a steroid treatment caused his body to swell dramatically, while a serious infection left him in hospital for 18 days on antibiotics. Despite everything, Maxton’s spirit has not changed. Coralle said: "He always has a smile on his face. Even on the worst days, when he smiles, it takes everything away." After six months without walking, an emotional breakthrough occurred when he started crawling again. "We were cheering him on. Then he built it back up step by step," Coralle said. He is now back on his feet and running around again, the mum said in her latest update on his condition Because of his condition and autism, Maxton has little awareness of danger and requires round-the-clock supervision. His parents currently take turns staying awake through the night to keep him safe. The specialist bed they hope to buy would provide a secure, padded space where he can sleep safely without risk of injury. The family have started a GoFundMe page and are hosting a community bike ride on August 29 and 30. It's expected to finish at the family’s home, where they hope to hold a community celebration. "We want it to be something positive," Coralle said. "He shows us every day how strong he is. Even without words. We don’t want people to feel sorry for him. We want people to see his strength."