David and Samantha Cameron fight back the tears as they return to son Ivan's school

By Nicola Boden



Emotional: David Cameron wipes a tear from his eye during a visit to the Jack Tizard school yesterday


Returning to the school attended by their young son Ivan, who tragically died last year, was bound to be emotional for the Camerons.

And yesterday neither the Prime Minister nor his wife Samantha could hold back the tears when they visited the 'incredible place' where, they said, their disabled child spent some of his happiest times..

Their visit was seen as a token of thanks to those Ivan had been closest to at Jack Tizard School, and the couple enjoyed an hour-long tour chatting to teachers and pupils during the opening of a new hydrotherapy pool.

Mrs Cameron, 39, in a camel overcoat, grey top and grey cropped trousers, welled up as her husband described how much Ivan, who was seriously disabled, had loved swimming.


Overcome: Samantha Cameron dabs away tears and (right) holds her husband tight by the hand


'I remember how much he loved swimming and he will be looking down at that pool thinking I wish I was in there today,' the Prime Minister said.


Husband and wife both had to wipe away tears from their eyes and sat in the assembly clutching each other tightly by the hand.

Ivan was six years old when he died in February 2009. He suffered from cerebral palsy and severe epilepsy and had needed round-the-clock care.

He went to Jack Tizard - a central London day school for children with severe learning difficulties aged two to 19 - for around two years.

Mr Cameron said yesterday: 'Our special schools are incredible places.

'You have a child, a special child like we did with Ivan, you worry like mad you are never going to find somewhere where he is happy, where there is great teaching where there is love and great compassion.

'And when you find that place like we did with Jack Tizard, your heart lifts.'

It is thought to be the first time the couple have returned to the school in Shepherd's Bush since their son's sudden death 18 months ago.

The Camerons decided to have another child after he died and this August, baby Florence was born prematurely in Cornwall.

They also have a six-year-old daughter Nancy and four-year-old son Arthur Elwen.

Mrs Cameron is a patron of The Big Splash charity, which supports disabled children at the school and in the local community.

A spokesman for the charity said, 'We're delighted to have Samantha and David's support in helping to raise much-needed funds.'


Heartbreaking: Mrs Cameron's eyes look glassy as she and her husband tour the school


Tour: The Camerons with Head Teacher Cathy Welsh at the day school


The Camerons greet staff and pupils at the school, which caters for severely disabled children


The Prime Minister's eldest son had a rare genetic disorder that left him with cerebral palsy and epilepsy and died after a seizure.

After his death, Mr Cameron said: 'We never expected him to die so young or so suddenly so it was a real bolt that hit us.'

He said in March last year: 'We always knew that Ivan wouldn't live forever because he had this very rare condition and he had been incredibly ill in his short life but we never expected him to die so young or so suddenly.'

At the time, he said he and his wife were hoping they could in time look back and 'remember the good things'. 'I know that will come,' he said. 'It just takes some time. And we just miss him.'

For Mr Cameron, the last two years have been marked by terrible lows and tumultuous highs.

He has moved into Downing Street and welcomed the arrival of a new daughter but lost his son and more recently his beloved father Ian, who died in France earlier this year.


New arrival: The Camerons with their new daughter Florence


Tragic loss: The Camerons with Ivan, Nancy and Arthur




source:dailymail