Matthew Johnson speaks out about mother's fabricated illnesses

Matthew Johnson, now 25, has spoken publicly for the first time in years about the abuse he suffered as a child at the hands of his mother, who faked his illnesses and subjected him to unnecessary medical treatment. Johnson, who was once dubbed the most ill child in Britain, appeared on 5 News to discuss a new documentary in which both he and his mother, Lisa, tell their sides of the story.

Johnson spent much of his childhood in and out of hospital. His mother claimed he was unable to walk, eat or breathe unaided, and he was fed through a tube and given oxygen. He also wore special sunglasses and used a wheelchair or mobility frame. In 2010, his mother was jailed for three years for child cruelty after it emerged that she had fabricated many of his conditions.

In the interview, Johnson said that talking about it now feels more natural than it did a few years ago. He described how his childhood was taken away from him, and how he was unable to run around and be a normal young boy. He also reflected on the public nature of the case, noting that his mother had appeared on television and in newspapers, which made the eventual revelation more dramatic.

Johnson said he holds no resentment towards his mother, but expressed disappointment at her continued defence of her actions. He revealed that he has not spoken to her in over two years, and that hearing her maintain the same mindset in the documentary has reinforced his decision to cut contact for the rest of his life.

He also spoke about his father and the medical professionals who were deceived, saying he does not blame them. He said his mother was very good at what she did, and that no one could think a mother would subject her child to such treatment. The documentary is expected to air soon, offering a detailed account of the case from both perspectives.