Katie Price reveals ‘constant struggle’ raising Harvey and is dreading him going to full-time education

KATIE Price has opened up about the difficulties of raising her son, Harvey, 19.

The former glamour model, 43, admitted it would be hard for her to see him go to college, but knew it was necessary for his independence.

Harvey, who was born with Prader-Willi syndrome, a genetic condition that affects his body, appetite, behaviour and learning development.

He also has ADHD, autism and septo-optic dysplasia, which causes blindness

Speaking on Simon Thomas' podcast Life, Interrupted, Katie opened up about how "challenging" looking after Harvey has been.

"There's lots of obstacles we go through, it's very day to day, I don't think people realise how how hard it is, you even have to shout him to get him dressed," she said in the interview recorded in April.

"It's just a constant battle," she added before saying she would not thing twice about supporting him, "because Harvey is such a lovely boy, that you can have so much fun with him."

Katie also opened up about finding Harvey a college to go to because it's "a different ballgame" for a person with complex needs and she feels "exhausted" with the process but know she's "got to find the right place for Harvey."

But she's also worried how her oldest son will cope at college after this year moving away to a residential home.

"At residential every night he rings and says 'Mum, I need you, I miss you, I want cuddles," Katie revealed.

"That's why it's going be hard for me and him, because the colleges I've picked are like a good three or hours away, because they're the best ones for him. He needs this for him and he needs to be independent."

Earlier this month, The Sun revealed that Harvey had been accepted into his first choice college, National Star – that costs a hefty £350,000 a year.

Katie previously said of Harvey moving into the residential school: "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."

Admitting it will be "hard to let go", the mum-of-five added: "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.

"When he's three hours away it will break my heart because I won't be able to get there as I've got to juggle him with my other kids."

The public was given rare insight into Harvey and Katie's life in the documentary Harvey and Me which aired earlier this year and followed their research into him going to a residential college.

It was so popular they will be doing a follow up one, catching up on the next step of his journey.

Harvey was even nominated nominated for an NTA for it in May, and has now made the shortlist for the Authored Documentary category.

Following the success of the touching documentary, Harvey is set to film a another eight-part-series for BBC about trains.

Speaking about the new opportunity, Katie previously said: “On the back of it, the BBC have offered Harvey and his friend Zac an 8-part series on trains and automobiles.

"There will be some gorgeous trains like the Bluebell Railway.

“I am not interested in bloody trains. Me and Jaenette (Zac’s mum) will be sitting there having our tea and sandwiches saying ‘what are we bloody doing here on a train station?’

"But, as long as they are happy, that’s what matters.”

Filming for the follow-up documentary about Harvey's search for colleges was briefly put on hold after Katie was allegedly assaulted in her home.

The "unprovoked attack" shortly after midnight on Monday last week left the former glamour model bruised and shaken, but she has remained resilient despite the incident.

She was attacked as she watched TV – causing her to flee and seek solace in the comfort of her son Harvey, who has a home nearby.

And after appearing in public with bruises, Katie has soldiered on with the filming of her 19-year-old son's new venture.

A source said: "Katie's already back filming with the BBC for a second documentary following Harvey's journey to residential college.

"She didn't want to let anyone down so she's soldiering on and filming today."

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