AN ALLOA mum has hailed the release of a new treatment for her son's medical condition as "a miracle".

Amy Cameron's son Zac, now three, was diagnosed with the rare muscle-wasting condition spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) type one almost two years ago.

The future looked bleak for the family until they heard about a new pioneering treatment called Spinraza.

Zac was then lucky enough to be selected to be given the treatment, the first and only one for the condition, a development which Amy said gave her son "the chance at life".

At the time, Amy pleaded with the Scottish Medicines Consortium (SMC) to roll out the treatment to everyone so other families could have the same hope.

And now, the mum-of-two has described her delight at the news that the treatment looks set to be made available on the NHS, north of the border.

She told the Advertiser: "We are absolutely over the moon that everyone in Scotland will get the treatment. It is a miracle, it's amazing."

Amy went on to admit her surprise at the decision, given that her family were told treatment was nowhere near ready, just two years ago.

"I was hoping that it would be offered," she explained. "But given the cost of it I was surprised, but I do think that it's the right thing to do.

"Two years ago we were told that treatment was far away."

Spinraza completely changed little Zac's life, giving him the ability to do things most people take for granted.

He has even started nursery recently, something Amy and her husband weren't sure they would ever see.

The Alloa mum added: "While it's not a cure, it is buying us valuable time with Zac and enabling him to reach milestones we never thought would be possible, such as picking up his cup for a drink and moving his legs.

"Zac has so much to offer the world and this is the only treatment that is giving him the chance at life.

"As parents, my husband and I are determined to secure the happiest life possible for Zac and his brother, Caleb.

"Life is for living and making memories and we will face whatever challenges lie ahead together as a family.

"He has started nursery and that's a milestone we didn't know if we would ever see, so he's now there learning and making friends. It's a really big deal."

Doug Henderson, managing director of the spinal muscular atrophy support group UK, said: "This is great news for the SMA community in Scotland giving wider access to this potentially life-changing treatment.

"We now want similar access across the rest of the UK."

Catherine Woodhead, chief executive of Muscular Dystrophy UK, added: "Today's announcement is fantastic news for families in Scotland and gives them hope for the future.

"We know that Spinraza slows down the progression of spinal muscular atrophy, a devastating and sometimes-fatal condition, and this decision has the power to change the lives of up to 100 children and adults and their loved ones."