Boy with brittle bone disease finds a home he can whizz around in

Andrew Balderston will soon have the freedom to whizz around a new home in his electric wheelchair after months of having no choice but to crawl around his grandparents' house.

The nine-year-old has osteogenesis imperfecta, a genetic disorder that results in bones being so brittle sneezing can break ribs.

The story of how his parents Emma and Rory Balderston had been waiting for a home suitable for his needs for almost ten months featured in the Herald last month.

The Balderston family, Emma, Andrew, 9, and Rory have been on the social housing register for the last 10 months. Photo: NZH/Nick Reed.

In it, they spoke of their fears Andrew could be fatally injured as they carried him up and down 10 flights of stairs, fearful every step of the way they could slip, fall and drop him.

They were also unable to carry his heavy electric wheelchair into the house, so Andrew was limited to crawling.

In early June Balderstons were finally offered a house 10 minutes from Middlemore Hospital and they expect to move in on Monday.

Rory Balderston said the family was looking forward to the greater freedom the single-storey, four-bedroom house would offer them.

"Andrew was really excited, each night he asks if we are moving in tomorrow.

"He can't wait to have all his friends over and show them his new house."

Balderston said it was a great relief for them as parents to know while they were moving further south, they were still close to a hospital.

"Emma and I are very happy, this is a big relief. It's 10 minutes away from Middlemore hospital. Andrew can keep most of his specialist appointments at Starship."

He said it was also great news for his parents, who could now look into making their property dreams a reality.

"They are talking about possibly doing some renovations to sell the house."

However, Balderston was sure his parents would be making a regular trip over to their side of town once they moved.

"They have said they are going to miss their grandkids, so I get the feeling they might be popping around quite regularly."