Emerson's Story

The Grant family were overjoyed at the arrival of baby Emerson, he was a happy, lively baby and took his first steps at just 11 months.  He embraced life and was a very energetic toddler, running around chasing bubbles, and he loved kicking a ball around.  But, by the time Emerson reached 16 months old he had started to become unwell, his health deteriorated really quickly and by the time he was 19 months old he could no longer stand unsupported. 

After an MRI scan, Emersons family received the devastating news that he had an arachnoid cyst on his spine, the effects of which caused him to be paralysed at C6/7 with an incomplete injury. This means that he can no longer walk, and has little or no feeling below his injury. He is too young to be able to say whether he can feel other areas of his body, or if he is in pain. He has also lost the ability to automatically control his temperature as well as bladder and bowel function.

Your support will help fund innovative research taking place at King's College London headed up by Professor Liz Bradbury, investigating the potential of regenerating the sensory pathways between the bladder and the brain. This gives hope to Emerson, his family, and the millions of people across the world living with a spinal cord injury.

Make a donation today to help us change the future of spinal cord injury.