A MAUCHLINE youngster that has lived with a mystery illness for most of his life continues to defy the odds in his fight.
Rudi Parker was referred to specialists when he was younger after failing to reach various milestones.
After tests, parents Sarah and Robert were told that he had low muscle tone, but have never received a diagnosis of what has or is causing this.
Creeping up on his eighth birthday, Rudi's life has centre around various trips to different parts of the world for specialist treatment, therapy and support to help him walk.
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This year has seen Rudi, Sarah and Robert travel to London once again for a three-week course at the new world-renowned NAPA Centre.
Despite the intense physio, Sarah says Rudi's progress has been noted by some of the health professionals involved.
Sarah said: “These kind of things are all about the brain creating new connections and pathways within the body, so it can be mentally exhausting as much as physically demanding, so we’re so proud of how he copes with this.
“All of these things are helping to bring on his cognitive developments as well, which help him understand what’s going on around him and understand what we’re saying to him."
Since December, Rudi has also been to Manchester for two CME therapy sessions, with professional also noting the immense progress the determined youngster had been making.
Despite the progress and work, a definitive answer about why Rudi needs to go through this treatment continues to evade the family.
“He had further genetic testing last year which couldn’t find anything and we’re having conversations about future tests that he can have," Sarah added.
“The thing we’re concerned about is any kind of effects that this could have on him, because the last thing we want is for anything to set him back again after how far he’s come.
“We’re see where the future takes us, because it might be the breakthrough we wanted to achieving an official diagnosis."
Travelling across Europe for these treatments comes at a financial cost to the Parkers.
Rudi is able to walk with more independence with the aid of his frame, and he is less reliant on support from his mum and dad when he's out and about now.
A fundraising page is still live, to help Sarah and Robert take Rudi to wherever he needs to go.
The support for their cause has been wide-reaching, including from line dancing and orange lodge groups in Ayrshire.
Sarah added: “These are groups from all over Ayrshire who we don’t know, and they’ve just heard about Rudi’s story and wanted to help out. Their generosity is incredible.
“I’d say the various groups have probably raised around six or seven thousand pounds.
“We also had incredible support from masonic lodges across the area as well. They have no idea how much this support means to us all.
“These therapies are expensive and having to live away with Rudi for the three weeks or so he’s there and travelling to and from these places is expensive, but we genuinely wouldn’t be able to do anything like this without these kind people helping out, so I just want to say a massive thank you to those that have helped."
You can support Sarah and Robert's battle for Rudi HERE
Support has also come closer to home, with a recent darts tournament raising over £3,000 for the cause, with donations from Auchinleck Talbot and Cumnock Juniors to help along the way.
Rudi is also set to be the special VIP mascot at Cumnock Juniors' home match against Newton Stewart later this month.
It's experiences like this that Sarah says help Rudi live a life like any other boy his age.
The dedicated mum added: “It’s things like this that help him just be a kid for the day and experience things that he wouldn’t have been able to in the past.
“We’re so grateful for Steven Kelly and Cumnock Juniors to think of Rudi and to accommodate it.
“We’ve got to remember how far Rudi's come in this journey to being able to take part in something like this.
“There’s still a long way to go, but we’ll continue taking it day by day."
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