- Author, Alex McIntyre
- Role, BBC News, West Midlands
A seven-year-old boy and his help canine have starred in a particular version of The Beano written for visually-impaired youngsters.
Alex McQueen, from Sutton Coldfield, and golden retriever Chance featured in Beano Presents – A Buddy For Life, which printed on Wednesday.
The comedian teamed up with charity Guide Dogs to create the version, which included a personality visiting the Guide Dogs centre in Bishop’s Tachbrook, Warwickshire.
Alex’s mum Lindsey stated: “For him, he feels like it is all really good fun and ‘there’s me and Chance and we’re in this cartoon and it’s great’.”
Alex has had Chance as his buddy canine for 2 years after he was left with bilateral optic atrophy – harm to the optic nerve – following a bout of meningitis when he was three weeks old.
Mrs McQueen stated he has diminished sharpness in his imaginative and prescient, struggles to see sure colors and has no peripheral imaginative and prescient in his proper eye, amongst different signs.
He additionally has developmental delay together with his speech, and his brother Ross, 9, voiced Alex on the audio model of the comedian.
Alex was paired up with Chance with assist from the charity, who Mrs McQueen stated had been “wonderful”.
Having beforehand been anxious round dogs, Mrs McQueen stated Alex now commonly seeks out Chance for cuddles.
“(Chance) has obtained probably the most lovely temperament on the planet, he’s simply so beautiful,” she added.
The comedian’s storyline featured Erbert, one of many Bash Street Kids, discussing his recent sight-loss analysis with pals and making a go to to the Guide Dogs National Centre.
Alex was one in all numerous visually-impaired young individuals who have been included within the version.
Craig Graham, editorial director at Beano Studios, stated it was vital to lift consciousness in regards to the affect it might probably have on youngsters.
“At Beano, it is vital to us to mirror children’ experiences and assist them navigate life with the enjoyable and mischief that each one children ought to get to get pleasure from,” he stated.
Alex Pepper, head of accessibility at Guide Dogs, stated the partnership would assist youngsters be taught extra about visible impairment.
“With Erbert opening up about his visible impairment to the Bash Street Kids for the very first time, we hope to encourage individuals to really feel extra comfy sharing their sight-loss expertise,” he added.
