I am doing a sponsored abseil for The Dame Vera Lynn Trust who are supporting Dominic's Fund for Dominic Francillia, the grandson of my friend Sue. Please read Dominic's story here http://www.dominicsfund.co.uk/dominics_story.html

Dominic's family and friends are working tirelessly to raise money for his treatment in the USA - they are inspiring.

My contribution is a 'little drop' off the fire station tower at East Grinstead next Sunday! Please give what you can. This is hugely personal for me and whatever I can raise will make that drop worthwhile!

Thanks in advance - Debs xx

Dominic's Story

Dominic was born at 32 weeks in May 2006, although premature he was a good weight at 4lb 9oz and needed no real ntervention. Over the course of next few months we noticed significant delays in Dominic reaching his milestones. At 8 months following an MRI and referral to a consultant Dominic was diagnosed with Spastic Diplegia Cerebral Palsy with Dystonia.

Dominic’s CP has severely affected both legs and both arms but more severely in his right arm and hand.Cognitively Dominic seems to be at a level with his peers so his main challenges are with his gross and fine motor skills.

Dominic currently attends Ingfield Manor Pre school 3 days a week which is a Scope funded school for children with Cerebral Palsy and has recently been accepted to join St Mary’s mainstream school in East Grinstead for 2 days a week for his reception year in September. This will help to integrate him with local able bodied children and help develop his cognitive and communication skills.

With the form of Cerebral Palsy that Dominic has there remains a risk over the years that the spasticity in his legs will result in problems in his hips, feet and bones that will lead to many orthopaedic surgeries and the use of Botox and oral drugs to temporarily relieve the tightness.

The SDR surgery that he has been recently accepted for will greatly reduce the number of orthopaedic surgeries he will require in the future and eliminate the need to use Botox and oral drugs.

The date of Dominic’s surgery is August 13th 2010 and will be carried out by TS Park in the St louis Childrens Hospital in Missouri USA. The procedure that Dr Parks does is not available in the UK therefore a number of UK families are finding themselves having to find the money to take their children to the USA for this life changing surgery.

Following the Surgery Dr Park is predicting that Dominic will be able to :
• Walk with a walker
• Sit independently
• Improve the functionality in his right arm
• Successfully toilet train
• Transfer easily between positions

The cost of the surgery is approx £45,000. None of this is covered by the NHS. When he returns he will need to have physiotherapy for 4 – 5 times a week for a year again this will not be funded by the NHS.

So please dig deep and donate now.