Katie Price has revealed she’s putting her son Harvey into full-time care.
The 18-year-old suffers from a number of health conditions, including septo-optic dysplasia, autism and Prader-Willi syndrome.
Speaking to The Sun, the mother-of-five shared her plans to place Harvey in a residential college, where he will learn to have a more independent life.
After visiting a number of colleges, their top choice is the Northern Star long-term living accommodation in Cheltenham.
Katie said: “It breaks my heart. It’s so upsetting to think I won’t see him every day but this is the best thing for Harvey and we have to think positively because I don’t want him to think I’m just getting rid of him.”
View this post on Instagram
“This is his chance to live an independent life, learn skills and socialise with people other than me.”
“When he goes to college he will learn to be an adult. He says now, ‘Mummy, I’m not a boy, I’m a man.’
“The other kids are excited for him — they want to see what he can do. But I think they’ll find it hard when he’s not around on weekends,” she explained.
“I need to learn to let go but it’s tough — anyone in my position knows how hard it is. We have an incredible bond. I don’t know how Harvey will react or how he’ll feel when I can’t get to him. It’s too painful to think about.”
View this post on Instagram
Katie continued: “He will live there until he’s 25 and have his own space to study and keep fit. I need to get him the help he deserves because he will die if he doesn’t exercise.”
“I need to get his weight down. We haven’t started training together yet as his breathing has got worse. It’s so bad. But at college he’ll be able to go swimming and work out with trained specialists.”
“I’m hoping he will make friends so he can socialise at the weekends, but if he has no plans then he can come home whenever he wants.”
“He’s meant to start this September but with lockdown I don’t know if he will.”
Katie welcomed Harvey back in 2002 with footballer Dwight Yorke.
The sports star initially denied being Harvey’s father, but a paternity test later proved that he was.
Despite this, Dwight hasn’t seen Harvey since he was four-years-old.
