BEN reporter Dave Roberts was moved when he met courageous Michael Strangwood

THIS week I was introduced to the bravest person I have ever been privileged to meet. He is a person who until six months ago was as any normal human being, enjoying a joke, laughing, running, playing games with friends -- living life to the full. He is a person who has cruelly had so much of that taken away from him by a rare incurable disease which has robbed him of virtually all his sensory perception and will ultimately cause him to fall into a vegetative state.

He is nine-year-old Michael Strangwood, a little boy who is staring death in the face with awesome bravery.

This is a golden-haired child whose face still lights up with smiles and who often breaks into giggles although he now lives in a dark, silent world where he cannot even communicate through speech.

Last month I first wrote about the terrible disease, adrenoleukodystrophy (ALD), which has taken such a toll on young Michael since it was diagnosed in March.

At that time I did not have the opportunity to meet the little lad but on Wednesday, at the invitation of his parents, I was able to spend time with him.

I will never forget the 90 minutes I was in the company of this amazing boy.

He is facing such adversity cocooned in the love of his parents Paul and Pamela, brother Andrew, grandparents, uncles and aunts. They are all as brave as he is.

From the first seconds as I watched him stroking a cuddly teddy bear I had taken for him, to the moment when he kissed the back of my hand, it was a magical time. His parents say that before the genetic disorder robbed Michael of his speech, their son never complained.

His sight had gone and his hearing was terribly impaired but Michael just got on with things.

Having met this remarkable boy I know that to be 100 per cent true.

As I spoke to Pamela about her son's deteriorating condition Michael continued to hug the bear, occasionally reaching over from the floor cushion where he lay to touch his mum's hand or leg.

I have never seen the bond between mother and child more visible, with the youngster gaining tangible reassurance from his mum's presence, touch and smell.

Throughout my time with Michael he showered hugs and kisses on his mum, with Pamela equally as affectionate.

Later things took on a more playful feel, with mum and son playing with toy guns before Michael began to blow raspberries on the back of Pamela's hand.

His giggles broke into belly-laughs as Pamela began to lightly drum on Michael's tummy before he decided to play hide and seek, curling up on the floor.

Later he took hold of two beanie babies in an attempt to juggle.

We all clapped as Michael knelt on the cushion and bowed slightly to signal applause.

His near-deafness means he probably could not hear the clapping but he looked pleased with himself. He knew he'd done well.

I left Michael's home as inspired by his courage as I was appalled at the sense of injustice that a child should have to face such an ordeal.

And yet despite all he has been through Michael continues to battle on, giggling, hugging, kissing and loving those around him as if nothing has changed.

Pamela and Paul Strangwood can feel justifiably proud to have a son so brave -- for me Michael is an inspiration.