5 Year Old Wants To Walk For First Time

By Warren Lee, 26th August 2011, 16:00

Comments

5 year-old Grace Windram's muscles are too tight for her to do anything but crawl, but now an operation in the US, could see her walk for the first time - but it'll cost £50,000.

Grace has Cerebral Palsy and cannot walk, and only learned how to crawl last year. Grace uses a powered wheelchair since she was 2 years-old.

Mum Helen says Grace is very frustrated by her impaired mobilty, often saying "I want to walk with my own feet" (as opposed to "walking" in her power chair), just like her school friends. Despite intensive physiotherapy, this has always seemed impossible, but now she has been given some hope.

Grace has been accepted for an operation in the US called SDR Selective Dorsal Rhizotomy, which could eliminate the spasticity (tightness) in her legs. The op, along with further intensive physiotherapy could see Grace use a walking frame, and even manage to walk a short distance on her own.

As well as making Grace's dream of walking come true, the operation would bring other health benefits which could delay or even prevent other effects of her condition including joint pain, early arthritis and growth deformities.

The operation and therapy costs £50,000 and Grace's family are working with the Tree of Hope Charity to raise the cash.