21 today...the brave lad who will simply stop at nothing.

Byline: MARIE LEVY

BORO fan Dan Woodhouse believes he can achieve anything if he puts his mind to it.

The fact he has to use his cheek to key each letter into his computer has not stopped him completing his AS-level IT coursework or keeping in touch with hundreds of friends on Facebook.

And he will not let the fact he has to spend the rest of his life on a ventilator stop him travelling to Newcastle to see his favourite pop star Beyonce after his brother bought him concert tickets for his 21st birthday.

As a youngster, Dan was diagnosed with Morquio's Syndrome - a rare genetic disorder that allowed his organs to develop but stopped his skeleton growing.

It was hoped that surgery carried out in November 2003 would strengthen the bones in his neck and protect his spinal cord.

But tragically the surgery was unsuccessful and Dan was left quadriplegic and fighting for his life.

Thanks to donations from generous Gazette readers his parents' house in Stainton was adapted and a special wheelchair purchased to enable Dan, who lives with his mum Sue, 49, dad Anthony, 53, and has three siblings Sarah, 29, Philippa, 27 and Richard, 23, to have 24-hour care at home.

Sue said it took a while to gather the confidence to take Dan out of the house with his portable ventilator but now he goes everywhere from trips to the cinema and concerts to days out in Great Ayton and Saltburn.

Dan said: "I went to see Ne-Yo in Newcastle and I loved it, it was brilliant and I am going to see Beyonce in November."

One place Dan, who turns 21 today, has not managed to get to yet is the Riverside Stadium on a match day.

Sitting in his room surrounded by medical equipment and pictures of his favourite players and proudly wearing this season's home shirt he said watching the Boro play at home would be one of the best presents he could ever hope for.

"I used to have a season ticket but I have not been there since my operation."

Dan knows it would be difficult to get a suitable spot at the ground as he would have to take his ventilator and his entourage of carers with him and the travelling would cause him some discomfort but he says it would be well worth it just to take in the atmosphere of the Riverside.

Despite everything Dan refuses to let anything get him down and is determined to succeed in his studies without any additional help.

"It's hard work but I don't see why I should be given any special treatment. I want to feel like I have earned it," he said.

Dan has already achieved GCSEs in maths, English and business studies and is now working on an AS-level in IT with the online learning group, Nisai who recently presented him with their student of the year award.

Sue said: "He operates computers by clicking with his cheek. The effort he is putting into his coursework is enormous. It's just a mammoth task. He is just incredible.

"He won't give in or have special circumstances brought into it.

"He is an inspiration. If people think they cannot achieve anything they should watch Dan.

"He is a superstar. If we say 'We don't know if you can do that Dan', he will try."

Dan's condition has certainly not affected his cheeky personality and great sense of humour.

He often jests that he has the perfect life with all his "slaves" looking after him and he is currently working on an entertaining best man's speech for his sister's wedding.

"I'm struggling to keep it clean," he joked. "I'm going to record it as well just in case I am bad on the day."

Carer Les Frewin added: "Dan has such a positive attitude it puts the rest of us to shame."

SUPERSTAR: Our stories on Dan as a child of courage in 2001, above, and appealing for a new wheelchair in 2003

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SUPERSTAR: Our stories on Dan as a child of courage in 2001, above, and appealing for a new wheelchair in 2003 HAPPY BIRTHDAY: Morquio's Syndrome sufferer Dan Woodhouse, pictured above with his mum Sue, is celebrating his 21st birthday today