text: The pictures show a caring sister helping her brother with his coat, giving him a kiss, and tenderly holding his hand as they play together. But while the scene looks idyllic, it is tinged with sadness, as Joel Wilkinson has a muscle wasting disease meaning he will eventually be left in a wheelchair and his life will be cut short. The three-year-old, from Hull, was diagnosed with Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy just six months ago after his parents, Emma, 33, and Chris, 36, noticed he was struggling to develop and learn to walk. They were left devastated when tests confirmed their son had the incurable condition and that is likely only to live to the age of 20. Now, they have decided to make his short life as full of joy as possible. Joel Wilkinson, five, was diagnosed with Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy six months ago, meaning his muscles will slowly waste away. His sister Phoebe, five, adores him and cares for him as much as possible . Joel will eventually need a wheelchair and has a life expectancy of just 20.  Phoebe  plays only 'muscle friendly' games that won't tire her brother out - and refuses to play games at school unless Joel can join in . Phoebe makes sure her brother is thoroughly looked after - she helps him put on his shoes, fasten up his coat (left), fetches his cereal in the morning and plays with him in the garden (right) Thankfully Joel's big sister, Phoebe, five, adores her brother and makes sure he is thoroughly looked after - she helps him put on his shoes, fasten up his coat and even helps fetch him his cereals in the morning. Mrs Wilkinson said: 'We were heart broken when we discovered that Joel had such an awful terminal disease. 'We told Phoebe as soon as Joel was diagnosed that he had a problem with his muscles and that they're weaker than normal. 'It was important she understood so they could play games that wouldn't tire him such as playing with toys and painting. 'We've told them both that the doctors are trying to find a medicine to help. 'She now only plays "muscle friendly" games that don't involve Joel running around and getting extremely tired. 'Phoebe loves her little brother so much and she even takes care of him when they are both at school as they share break times together. Duchenne muscular dystrophy is an inherited disorder that causes progressive muscle weakness. It usually only affects boys (around one in 3,500), although girls can carry the defective gene. Although not apparent at birth symptoms appear in early childhood. Boys with Duchenne's will have difficulty with walking, jumping and climbing stairs. The disorder is diagnosed via a blood test and muscle tissue sample. Sufferers are likely to need increasing help and treatments from the age of nine. Walking becomes difficult and a wheelchair is usually needed by the age of 12. As patients go through their teenage years they are more likely to suffer from complications such as chest infections. Most most people with Duchennes survive well into their 20s and sometimes longer. The eventual cause of death is usually a severe chest infection at the stage when lung function is already poor. 'She openly tells their friends that she won't join in with any games unless Joel can keep up too. 'It's such a relief knowing that she's keeping an eye on him when I'm not around.' Mr and Mrs Wilkinson found out their son Joel had Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy just before his third birthday last year. The condition affects around one in 3,500 and causes difficulties with movement, meaning a wheelchair is normally needed by the age of 12. Mrs Wilkinson said she hopes there will be a scientific breakthrough before that point. She said: 'His only hope is that researchers have a breakthrough in time to save him and the hundreds of other boys who have this terrible disease. 'Joel will lose the use of his legs first, leaving him wheelchair-bound, and then other muscles thereafter. Eventually, his heart and lungs will fail. At first Joel's parents thought he was a late developer but when at six months he couldn't sit and by two he couldn't walk they knew something was seriously wrong. Mrs Wilkinson said: 'Results from the blood test in July said he had muscle dystrophy, but it wasn't until the end of September, after more tests, that we found out it was Duchenne.' The disease, which results in muscle degeneration, has already left Joel unable to get up the stairs or walk long distances. Mrs Wilkinson added: 'Joel struggles to stand up and despite only being three he looks like a little old man when he tries to get up. 'It's an awful illness but we are going to ensure that Joel has the best life and with Phoebe's help we know he'll enjoy every second. 'Phoebe will often clear away both of their toys so that her little brother doesn't get too tired. 'She will help him put on his shoes, fasten his coat and even helps him with his cereals in the morning. 'When I tell them both to tidy up their toys Phoebe will instantly stick up for him and say "what about his weak muscles". Emma Wilkinson, 33, and her husband Chris, 36, realised there was something wrong with their son when Joel wasn't developing properly. The family have now decided to make Joel's short life full of joy . As well as playing with her brother at home, Phoebe looks after Joel at school, spending break times with him . 'It's adorable but he's so spoilt.' Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy occurs mainly in boys and although it can be inherited it often occurs with no known family history of the condition. Mrs Wilkinson said this was the case for her and her husband, so they were shocked when Joel was diagnosed. She said: 'We have no family history of the condition so it has been such a shock for us to come to terms with but that's why we've set up the Joy for Joel appeal.' The family have set up at online fundraising website to ensure Joel he gets the specialist treatment he needs to make his life as comfortable as possible. 'We need funds to help Joel be as independent as possible when he grows up and so we can adapt our home,' Mrs Wilkinson explained. 'When he's older we will need a special hoist and a bedroom and wet room downstairs.' Until then, the family are focusing on creating as many memories as possible with Joel while he has some muscle function. Mrs Wilkinson said: 'Thanks to Phoebe, Joel has a constant play mate and she helps him ensure he gets the most out of the time he has being able to move his muscles. 'There isn't any medication Joel can take that will slow down his muscle deterioration so we have to watch helplessly as he slowly becomes weaker. 'But we're trying to keep positive and with the help of Phoebe we are getting through it as a family.' There is no cure for Duchenne's, nor any medication that can slow  his muscle deterioration. But thanks to Phoebe, Joel  has a constant playmate . Often Phoebe will clear up Joel's toys after they have played together so he doesn't become to fatigued. 'It's adorable but he's so spoilt,' Mrs Wilkinson said . Mr Wilkinson, who works in IT development support at a logistics company, said: 'We cannot put into words the heartache and devastation Joel's diagnosis is causing us. 'Being unable to help, mend and protect your child is soul-destroying. 'The only thing we can do is bring joy to the time he has.' Families in a similar position can find support by contacting Muscular Dystrophy UK. Robert Meadowcroft, chief executive of the charity, said: 'Hearing that your child has a rare muscle-wasting condition can be a huge shock for parents. 'Families time and time again tell us about the importance of having a strong network in place. 'For many parents, family members and charities like Muscular Dystrophy UK, can play a major role in providing that much needed emotional support and practical help, throughout this journey. 'Many families have told us how they are struck by the sense of acceptance and resilience that a sibling can display as their brother or sister gradually gets weaker. 'Siblings can be very protective and supportive of each other, and will often find imaginative ways to play and have fun together despite mobility issues. 'This can be a huge source of comfort and reassurance for parents.' To donate visit: http://www.joyforjoel.co.uk .
target: Joel Wilkinson, 3, has  Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy - a disease that will cause his muscles to slowly waste away, leaving him unable to walk .
  He will eventually need a wheelchair  and has a life expectancy of just 20 .
  His  sister Phoebe, 5, adores him and looks after him at home and school .
  Family are now trying to make his short life is as full of joy as possible .