Hi my names Chloe age 29 from Elgin moray in Scotland I have a disability called spastic quadriplegic cerebral palsy.

Spastic quadriplegia is a specific type of cerebral palsy that causes me to have high muscle tone, tight muscles and spasms in all four limbs.

I have cerebral as a result of being born 9 weeks early I have been wheelchair bound all my life.

I live independently with my German Shepherd Gucci I get support from personal assistants through out the day to help me achieve my goals.

In June 2014 I had major ankle surgery on both my ankles due to pain as they were crumbling. I decided to go ahead with the surgery. The consultant told me if I didn’t I would completely lose my ability to transfer. This is something I’ve always feared.

After six months in plaster cast I was finally healed and the casts were removed but as time went on I didn’t even have the ability to transfer.

After many months of doctors and consultants telling me they don’t think I could transfer again by that I mean moving myself independently. Even though the consults said i probably wouldn’t transfer myself again . I refused to listen and didn’t give up. Every day I would search for treatment that could maybe help me get my independence back.

I joined a face book called cerebral palsy I came across people talking about Selective Dorsal Rhizotomy I messaged the lady to see what it was about I liked the sound of it I researched to find more information about it.

Selective Dorsal Rhizotomy is a neurosurgical operation on the spine which can help will help the stiffness (spasticity) that cerebral palsy causes affecting movements. This would improve my quality of life having the operation could give me a chance to walk with a Walker. After-thinking about it for a few weeks I decided to book an appointment with a neurosurgeon at the Walton centre in Liverpool . (the operation isn’t available in Scotland for adults.)

Before my first appointment in Liverpool I attended a few strength and conditioning courses at walk this way UK they specialise in cerebral Palsy and Selective Dorsal Rhizotomy. I was there for 10 days each day I had to to do a two hour work with my trainer Charli. We set some goals to begin with they were simple to start off with. All I really wanted to do was be able to transfer again and get my life back on track. Charli said my goal was possible if I worked hard and didn’t give up. By the end of the first course after I came home I tried transferring and I was able to do it with no problems.

I carried on following my workout when i got home with Dave and Jude at move 4ward in Elgin.

My first appointment was a very brief face to face meeting with the surgeon. He invited me back for scans and tests to see if I was suitable for the surgery.

The morning after the scans and tests were done the surgeon and his physio came to tell me I was a suitable candidate for Selective Dorsal Rhizotomy.

My main focus before I have the surgery is to get my body as strong as possible this will make the recovery a little easier. Having the surgery will improve my life in so many ways such as

Less pain

Less pressure on my body

Improves sitting standing and transfers

Movement become more natural

My body will be able to relax instead of being tense all the time

My surgeon applied to NHS Grampian for funding for the surgery . After waiting a few months I found out my funding had been declined because the surgery would have to take place in Liverpool so they refused to pay for it.