Ellie is 4 years old from Bridgend in south Wales and has Hemiplegic Cerebral Palsy as the result of a stroke in the womb. We are hoping to raise £75,000 for Just4Children to support Ellie to go to St Louis Children Hospital in Missouri for an operation called Selective Dorsal Rhizotomy (SDR) that would change her life.
SDR is an operation that would permanently reduce the spasticity in Ellie’s right leg and allow the development of her muscles that were previously hindered due to the spasticity. It will ensure that she doesn’t suffer with bone deformities and contractures when she is older, and allow her to experience greater opportunities in life. She will also need two years of intensive physiotherapy to ensure that the operation is successful.
Jumping, walking down the stairs, and riding a bike are things Ellie can’t do now and will struggle to do in the future. When she walks, her foot severely turns in making walking difficult. uncomfortable and tiring. She has numerous falls and is knocked off balance very easily. This operation could change all that.
