THERE are many reasons why young Joshua Burgess thoroughly deserved recognition at the Tendring Youth Awards.

At 12 years old, he leads a busier life than most of us.

Alongside his school studies at Tendring Technology College, Joshua often finds work as an extra in TV and film, sings in a charity choir and volunteers his time at his school’s specialised centre for autistic youngsters.

He is also an avid fan of dancing and theatre, regularly attending Stagestruck Academy, in Frinton.

He does all of this while facing an incurable condition which will likely leave him blind before adulthood.

Retinitis pigmentosa, also known as RP, causes the breakdown of cells in the retina.

He also copes with a linked and ultra-rare condition Primary Ciliary Dyskinesia – which effects the hearing, sinuses and lungs.

There were fears Josh wouldn’t even make the awards ceremony after a lengthy recent stay at Great Ormond Street Hospital.

He had suffered a collapsed lung and needed urgent treatment.

But he was finally discharged after two weeks, allowing him to join his fellow nominees at Clacton Town Hall.

He took home the award in the under 13s category.

Mum Kristel, from Walton, said: “It was lovely to see Josh so happy doing something so positive after having such a horrendous couple of weeks.

“He was so humbled and so surprised – he didn’t expect his name to get called at all.

“He hasn’t been able to get to dance lessons.

“Stagestruck performed at the awards after it finished they all rushed round to see him and give him hugs.”

Josh has likely suffered permanent damage to his lung because of the infection.

Kristel said: “We think it is to do with Primary Ciliary Dyskinesia. That isn’t confirmed, but that does cause horrible recurrent infections.

“He had twice daily nebulisers and physiotherapy to try and minimise and prevent further damage.

“If you talked to him you wouldn’t have a clue all this was going on. He is so positive.”

During Joshua’s stay at Great Ormond Street, he gave his staff and fellow patients a lift by chatting with them and encouraging a positive outlook.

He so impressed renowned child therapist Alison Knowles that he was made the first ambassador of Ollie and His Superpowers – a therapy tool used to connect emotionally with children through simplistic language and metaphors.

“She was blown away by his attitude,” said Kristel.

“It’s been inspiring to me, it is clear it is so important to have that positive outlook, no matter what you face.”

Josh’s brother Sebastian, eight, also lives with RP and Primary Ciliary Dyskinesia.

The pair sing with the Rays of Sunshine choir, recently performing at the Royal Albert Hall and Kensington Palace.

At the end of last year, Kristel launched a fundraising bid to give Joshua and Sebastian a treat before their vision darkens further.

The two boys will join dancers from Stagestruck Academy when they make the drip to Disneyland at the end of July.

“It is about making sure the strongest memories they have are positive ones,” said Kristel.