A KILWINNING teenager with a life-threatening condition had his dream of being a lift operator for the day come true by the Make-A-Wish Foundation.

James Trott, who has an undiagnosed genetic condition with life-threatening epilepsy, has always had a fascination with buttons and switches, especially those on lifts because he likes the element of surprise – whose face will appear when the doors open? 

Mum Jenny, who works as an activity coordinator at Thistleknowe Care Home in Beith, told the Herald: “James is obsessed with buttons. He sees a button and he has to press it. 

“He particualrly loves buttons in lifts. If he sees one when we’re in a shopping centre he runs straight across to it so he can press all the buttons. 

“He’s not always allowed to press them though and unfortunately he often goes for the alarm because it’s big and red!”

Lately, James’ seizures have got significantly worse causing him to stop breathing. Jenny, James’ dad Craig and the teen’s17-year-old sister Chloe, have had first aid training so that they can revive him if necessary. 

Irvine Times:

But they worry that James might have a seizure in the middle of the night so are focussed on making the most of every minute with him.

It came as no surprise that the 13-year-old’s number one wish was to go to the tallest building possible and be in charge of the lift for the day. 

That wish came true last month when James was able to operate not one but three of the most iconic lifts in London.

James’ wish weekend began when he and his family were flown from Glasgow to Heathrow and put up in a smart hotel. 

The next morning they were picked up by limousine and driven to the Shard, the tallest buildings in London. James donned his official cap and sash and filled in for the service lift operator. 

After a leisurely lunch the family was dropped off at the Lloyds Building at One Lime Street – the first building in the UK to have lifts on the outside. 

There, James helped to transport passengers to their correct destination while his family played lift tag with him – chasing each other up and down the building.

The next day James donned his lift operator’s cap once more and travelled up and down the lifts at the Doubletree Hilton Westminster while his extended family, who had travelled up from Sussex to join them, played hide and seek with him over 13 floors. 

Irvine Times:

James couldn’t wait to see which family member he would see when he opened the lift doors at each stop.

His joyful reactions were captured by Craig on a head camera so that James and his family can relive the experience over and over again.

Craig, who works as an air ambulance pilot, described the experience as an “awesome weekend”.

Jenny said: “James had a great time. All the lifts gave him something different. 

“The best moment was when we went in to the lift at the Shard and the number of buttons on display was huge! James seemed to be thinking: ‘Can I really touch all of these buttons?!’ He realised at that point that there was something special going on.

“The hotel was fantastic because we had all the family there and he didn’t know who would be behind the door.

“It was really lovely that as a family we were able to share James’ wish with him. So thank you Make-A-Wish. 

“We felt like VIPs for the weekend and the attention to detail and thought that went into it all has been absolutely brilliant.”