Hello my name is Aiden, I am 2 years old and have Cerebral Palsy.

I was born ten weeks early on 1 January 2010 along with my twin brother and we spent a total of 8 weeks in both Intensive and Special care. Mum took me in for a routine follow up appointment in March 2011 and that is when she was told I had Cerebral Palsy.

Cerebral Palsy affects every individual in a completely different way and no two people are the same. I have Bilateral Spastic Hemiplegia, which means I have stiffness in my right arm and leg and also to a lesser extent in my left leg. My mum carries out all of my physio each day, stretching my arms and legs and making sure I don't lose any range of movement. I am not mobile and am a little unbalanced, this means that I cannot play with my brother or friends as much as I would like.

My mum and dad want to give me every opportunity to lead a full life so they are trying to raise funds for treatments for me.

Treatments

Thanks to Mum, Dad and everyone who has donated so far I have had an operation called Selective Dorsal Rhizotomy (SDR) with Dr Park at St Louis Childrens Hospital Missouri. SDR is an operation where Dr Park found the 'bad' nerves in my spine and cut them to remove my spasticity. Now that I have had this operation I am much more comfortable and able to move more easily. Dr Park is pleased with my progress so far and has said I will be walking independently within the year!

The cost of this operation was approximately £33,000 and this has been paid for out of funds raised on this page...thank you!

On my return to the UK I will need intensive physiotherapy for at least 18 months to ensure that I reach my full potential. While I have been in St Louis I have been receiving an hours physio each day at the hospital and Dr Park feels that this intensive level of physio should continue on my return to the UK to ensure I reach my full potential as soon as possible.

Mum and Dad want to give me every chance at leading a full life so they are continuing to fundraise to cover the costs of private physio as unfortunately the NHS cannot provide the 4-5 hours of physio each week that Dr Park recommends I need. Private physio cost £55 per hour, mum and dad will also be using funds raised to buy any equipment that I may need to help with my recovery such as a special trike, balance boards, scooter boards or anything else needed to help get me strong and walking on my own.

Hopefully with the help of you all we will be able to raise enough money to get me the additional physio and treatment I need to enable me to keep up with my brother!

So please dig deep and donate

Thank you

Keep up to date with whats going on and how much we have raised at www.aidensfootsteps.co.uk