AN INSPIRATIONAL Dunfermline boy has been recognised in Parliament for his bravery battling end-stage renal failure.

Eight-year-old Daniel Cornet has now faced 29 operations during his life, with his most recent emergency procedure costing him his first day back at school.

Mum Louise Paton had rushed him to A&E in Glasgow, where he receives specialist treatment, due to complications following the removal of his remaining native kidney in late July.

But two days later, Daniel, who is now in Primary 4 at St Margaret’s, was back in class.

“He’s managed a whole term and he’s only missed that one day,” Louise told the Press.

“It’s up and down, it’s hard to gauge, P1 was really good but then we went into lockdown, then he wasn’t well throughout P3.

“It’s a bit of a wait and see, we had hoped his kidney function would improve but it hasn’t.”

The youngster, who won the Press Bonny Baby competition in 2014 and was named one of our community champions four years later, is known for his ability to bounce back quickly, having won gold in mini tennis in this year’s British Transplant Games, just seven days after leaving hospital following his kidney removal.

Dunfermline and West Fife MP Douglas Chapman was so impressed with the feat, as reported by the Press in August, that he lodged an Early Day Motion in Parliament celebrating Daniel’s achievements.

It read: “That this House praises Dunfermline’s Daniel Cornet on winning gold in mini tennis at the British Transplant Games; notes that Daniel accomplished this just one week after leaving hospital following a major operation; commends Daniel for the strength and resilience he has shown since he was diagnosed with end-stage renal failure shortly after being born; encourages others going through a similar experience to take inspiration from Daniel to never give up; and wishes Daniel and his family all the best for the future.”

The motion was signed by 22 MPs.

“He thinks he is famous in London, he thinks everyone there knows him now,” Louise laughed.

“Daniel was really excited, it fell just before his birthday and he was telling everyone at his party that MPs knew him, though one of his friends asked him what an MP was and he replied, ‘I don’t know’.

“We are all really pleased and dead proud of him.

“He is very impressed he got a letter from London and had loads of questions for Douglas, like, ‘Do you know the Prime Minister?’”

The SNP politician commented: “It was a pleasure to meet Daniel and give him a copy of the motion highlighting his story.

“As West Fife’s MP, I’m fortunate to meet a lot of inspirational locals, but Daniel really is one of a kind.

“I’ve learned a lot about his journey through the ‘Daniel’s Diary’ Facebook page which documents what he’s gone through – and I’d encourage everyone to give it a read. I was completely blown away by his bravery and resilience, and by everything he’s achieved.

“To win gold in mini tennis at the British Transplant Games just days after undergoing a major operation is truly remarkable – but then, that’s Daniel.

“I wish him and his family all the best and look forward to reading more about his achievements in the future.”

Despite a kidney transplant in 2017, Louise explained that the affects of the chronic condition are once again becoming obvious, with Daniel coming home from school, as well as his hobbies swimming, tennis, and drama classes, far more tired than before.

“He’s not keeping up with his friends as much and he’s starting to notice it,” she said.

“When you are told as a parent you go through a type of grief, you know what is coming, but for a child it keeps hitting in stages of realisation.

“Every time it happens, it knocks him again.

“Eventually, he will need another transplant, but we don’t know how long that will be, he could be at the stage he is at for five years or five months. He knows there is a dialysis room at the hospital but he doesn’t know the impact on him, he is tired, that is the only thing.”