Katie Price to put son Harvey into care

By Neil Wilkes, Editor-in-chief | 1d

Katie Price reveals that she is putting her disabled son Harvey into care in order to help him become more independent.

Katie Price has revealed that she has made the decision to put her severely disabled son Harvey Price into a residential college.

The 18-year-old is afflicted with multiple disabilities, including partial blindness, autism and Prader-Willi Syndrome, which can cause extreme weight gain.

Katie has previously admitted that she has had to install locks on her fridge to stop Harvey from sneaking in extra meals and snacks, while his mood swings have caused him to headbutt walls and destroy TVs.

Speaking to The Sun, Katie said that she and Harvey have been visiting residential colleges that specialise in autism with the hopes that he will be able to move in to his top choice later this year.

"It breaks my heart. I don't want him to think I'm just getting rid of him," she told the newspaper.

"It's so upsetting to think I won't see him every day but this is the best thing for Harvey and we have to think positively because I don't want him to think I'm just getting rid of him.

"This is his chance to live an independent life, learn skills and socialise with people other than me.

"I'm trying to get him used to me not being there all the time. But he'll call on his iPad and say, 'Mum, I need you', and I run to him.

"When he's three hours away it will break my heart because I won't be able to get there as I've got to juggle him with my other kids.

"When he goes to college he will learn to be an adult. He says now, 'Mummy, I'm not a boy, I'm a man.'"

Last summer Harvey, who weighs more than 29 stone, spent several days in intensive care with breathing difficulties, and doctors have warned that he must lose weight quickly to avoid serious health complications.