Joe Stone and his son Larry

Joe Stone from Prestwich is remarkable. Not only is he a 99-year-old who still dances and writes poetry (not to mention teaching himself to paint, dance, read music and play the organ in his 80s) but he also has an incredible story to tell about his son, Larry, who had muscular dystrophy. Joe is living proof that with encouragement and determination people with muscular dystrophy can still excel at what they do and find their hidden talents.

Joe’s son Larry was diagnosed with muscular dystrophy when he was very young, and as a boy found it hard to understand why other children did not want to play with him. So Joe decided that Larry ought to learn a skill that would encourage inclusion both at school and later on in life. He suggested that Larry, at the age of seven, learn to play the piano, and discovered that his son took to the instrument with ease. He passed exams with flying colours and then went on to play songs by ear and to sing along to them, doing impersonations of the music stars of the time.

Joe recognised that his son had a special gift and suggested that Larry play in public. So he entered him into a Butlin’s competition at Clacton on Sea, where Cliff Richard and the Shadows were professionally employed by Butlins for the season. It was difficult to get the organisers of the competition to take Larry seriously because of his muscular dystrophy until, that is, they reluctantly let him perform, and then they were amazed by his talent. Larry won the competition and brought the house down.

From here Larry’s confidence went from strength to strength and was fully supported by his father every step of the way when he decided to continue performing professionally.

Over the years, with thousands of others, Larry entered many competitions winning trophies and a substantial amount of money. He went on to perform in the working men’s clubs, which were notoriously hard audiences to please, but Larry was adored everywhere he went. In the 50s he was on the bill with stars of the time such as Max Wall, Alma Cogan, Benny Lee, Matt Munro and Frank Highfield.

As Larry’s career progressed Joe continued to inspire him with ideas for his act as well as continuing to set up his equipment and helping him on and off stage. After many years, Joe found it too much and Larry employed someone to help him with his mobility and his travelling. He continued to entertain and was often top of the bill.

Sadly, his public entertaining came to an end after falling out with his assistant who was no longer willing to help. So Larry moved with his wife to Scarborough where they owned holiday flats and Larry kept his talent going by entertaining the guests there. He lived there for many happy years.

When Larry was first diagnosed with muscular dystrophy Joe was told that his son was unlikely to see his 16th birthday. There was little understanding of the condition then and Joe was never told what type of muscular dystrophy Larry had. But Joe strongly believes that singing and playing the piano helped his son’s muscles from deteriorating so quickly. Larry passed away at the age of 60 in hospital after contracting the MSRA super bug during a kidney stone operation.

The memory of Larry goes on and Joe has an impressive collection of newspaper cuttings and programmes from all his son’s successes. In Joe’s own words Larry “was proof that disabled people can do anything with encouragement and love” and Joe certainly provided his son with an abundant amount of both of these.

Do you have a story to tell? Please email Sally or Sandra at web@muscular-dystrophy.org