ARNOLD Schwarzenegger is a big star with a big heart.

And he has brought a huge smile to the face of a seriously-ill Birkby teenager.

Usman Khan, 13, of Norwood Road, is one of Schwarzenegger’s biggest fans – and now the feeling is mutual.

Film star turned politician Schwarzenegger has taken time out to record a special DVD video message to Usman, who has a degenerative condition so rare that doctors haven’t been able to name it.

Usman was a perfectly healthy boy until the age of four.

Then his body gradually began to fail and he lost the ability to walk and talk. He is now confined to a wheelchair, is fed through a tube and needs oxygen at night.

Usman – known to family and friends as Arnie Khan – has virtually all the Terminator star’s films and watches them every day.

But he had a big surprise when a DVD dropped through the letterbox with a personal message from the former body-builder.

In the video, Schwarzenegger tells Usman he has heard of his “little problem”, but urges him to fight tough.

He thanks Usman for being a fan and says: “You can pull through. Have faith and just be tough. Fight through just like Terminator and you will come out.

“We all love you. You are the greatest so stay strong, Usman. OK?”

The DVD came through after Usman’s dad Hakeem, 45, and mum Naheed Akhtar, 36, contacted the Rays of Sunshine medical wishes children’s charity.

The DVD arrived last week along with a life-size cut-out of Schwarzenegger in a pose from Terminator 3. Cardboard Arnie now sleeps next to Usman’s bed.

Bus driver Mr Khan – who has three other children, Bilal, 19, Romana, 17, and Areeba, five – said Schwarzenegger’s gesture meant so much to the whole family.

“We can’t put into words what it means,” said Mr Khan.

“He is a great man and we can’t thank him enough. If he comes to England we will do whatever we can to meet him in person.”

It is not the first time the star has been in touch with the family.

In 2005, Usman’s consultant at Huddersfield Royal Infirmary, Dr Mike Sills, wrote to Schwarzenegger, who was then governor of California.

He wrote back describing Usman as a “very brave boy” and wishing him all the best.

“I admire you for being strong,” he said.

Usman has loved Schwarzenegger since he was five and likes his physique and all-action style.

His carer Becki Van-Boek, 23, is now an expert on Schwarzenegger films.

“Usman just loves Arnie and we watch films every day,” she said. “This means everything to him.”