Nicola Clulow is praying for the day her severely disabled teenage son will be able to tell her that he loves her.

Until now the Carlisle mum-of-three had given up any hope of 15-year-old Cameron Mitchell communicating the message every parent wants - as he is quadriplegic, epileptic and has no speech.

Wheelchair-bound, Cameron shouts out loud a lot - but no one understands all he is trying to tell them.

He can smile when he is happy and cries when in pain.

But his inability to communicate some of the sentiments most people take for granted makes Nicola "very sad".

"It is like having a baby in a grown-up body. I find it difficult to communicate fully with Cameron. It is guesswork, and I know it it very frustrating for us both," said the 50-year-old.

"But I have learned if he is in bed and wants his television off he punches his eyes."

The special school Cameron goes to has tried to help him to communicate using his hands on switches, but he finds it hard, as he is unable to control his hands.

"His brain screams move, but his hands don't listen and this makes him sad," said Nicola.

But now, thanks to a massive fundraising effort by family and friends, Cameron may at long last be able to break his silence and communicate.

The 'Get Cameron Communicating Campaign' was launched after the James Rennie School in Carlisle started to help the teenager use a revolutionary piece of machinery that scans his eyes to help him 'speak'.

The technology involves tracking his vision to see how he behaves in response to questions and pictures - and then communicates this response.

"At first it seemed an unreachable amount. We set it off at £3,000, knowing the equipment would probably cost over £7,000, and could be as much as £10,000, but we didn't want to start the target too high and look greedy," said Nicola.

"We set up a 'JustGiving/CrowdFunding page, together with Cameron's Facebook.

"It started off just family and friends sharing, and then it just went viral.

"It was unbelievable.

"In no time we had reached the initial target, and were heading for the £5,000 mark.

"We couldn't believe how generous people were. Kev and I know how money is tight for everyone these days."

But as well as the CrowdFunding page, Cameron's family - with Auntie Mary Laidlow - at the helm, were soon holding raffles with amazing prizes donated by Longtown businesses, and table top sales.

"Some people had not seen Cameron since he was little. They just didn't realise how disabled he was," said Nicola.

"One night there was a Race Night in Longtown, and people were throwing money at it.

"Some people were giving £60 a go. It was totally overwhelming," she added.

"It helped my mum, Kathleen Clulow was from Longtown.

"It's a pity she isn't alive today to see what is possible for her grandson.

"We lost her earlier this year. She idolised Cameron."

In the meantime, Cameron has been assessed for the eye gaze equipment and worked amazingly well with it.

She said: "It's not easy forcussing on a point on a screen when you are fighting with involuntary movements of your head, arms and body, but he seemed to really enjoy the session.

"There is no doubt in our mind that this machine will change Cameron's life completely."

Nicola and Cameron's dad, Kevin and step-mum, Lisa are all hoping that the young man will be able eventually to tell them what he wants to watch on telly, or what he would like to do today.

"It will not be overnight, but it will help unlock the world for him," said Nicola.

"I kind of hope that within a year he will be able to communicate yes and no.

"I know it will take a lot of practice, and Cameron will get frustrated, but the possibilities his own machine could hold are endless.

"The package that will work best for Cameron will initially cost £7,500, plus further software costs around £200 each.

"But we will only purchase the basic software package initially, and with continued support hope to have this in the New Year," added Nicola.

Cameron was about one-year-old when his mum and dad were told that his brain wasn't growing and developing like other children his age.

No one really knew why, but everyone was hopeful that one day he would be able to do all the things other kids his age could do.

But in the following years, Cameron had to endure operations on his spine and his hips.

He is fed by a tube in his stomach and needs to have someone on hand around-the-clock as he has fits.

Nicola admits that while life has been hard at times, she wouldn't change a thing.

"You adapt to your situation, and realise there's a lot of people worse off than you out there," she said.

"It does get tiring and challenging, and I've learned to survive on very little sleep.

"But you get so much back from a child with special needs, it's definitely worth it. And Cameron's dad and his family help out at weekends."

It also helps that the family home in Upperby is fully equipped for Cameron's needs - with hoists, sensory equipment with lights and sound effects, and a changing table.

Cameron's brother, Christian, who is 11, has had to grow up quickly.

"He's a little rock. He helps out in the home, but I feel sometimes he doesn't get the attention he should."

Nicola, also has another son, Daniel, 27, who lives in Sydney.

"Him and his friends have also helped with the fundraising."

To donate, go to: https://www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/cameron-mitchell?utm_id=107