Amalie has been assessed by specialists at Alder Hey Children's Hospital in Liverpool for life changing Selective Dorsal Rhizotomy (SDR) surgery to reduce the spasticity in her legs to enable a better quality of life, more independence, less pain, and better chance of being self-mobile using aids. The specialists have decided that the surgery will be beneficial and are happy to proceed with it, however Amalie doesn't fit the very strict criteria for the operation to be funded by the NHS meaning the costs need to be self-funded for Amalie to be able to receive the surgery that will enhance her life.

SDR procedure involves severing selected nerves in the lower spinal cord aiming to-

•Reduce spasticity

•Reduce painful spasms

•Improve ease of cares

•Improve functional mobility (transfers/ walking)

•Improve self-care activities, such as getting dressed

•Improve sleep pattern

•Improve energy levels and physical endurance

Amalie has Cerebral Palsy, a condition that affects the muscle control and movement and co-ordination of her limbs, her legs being the most affected. A lifelong condition caused by brain damage. There isn't a cure for Cerebral Palsy, there are treatments and aids to assist individuals with the condition to be more comfortable and to help reach a level of independence.

Amalie was born 6 weeks premature in 2015, very small at only 4lbs. After a week in NICU she was doing well and was able to be taken home and be with her family. She very quickly had a decline in health and was readmitted to the neonatal intensive care unit. After intensive and intrusive testing was completed, it was found that she had a severe infection and family were told to prepare for the worst. A brain scan carried out just before she was 2 weeks old showed that Amalie had very significant damage caused by the infection and the Paediatric Doctors diagnosed Amalie with Cerebral Palsy. They said that it would be very unlikely that Amalie would ever be able to move herself, feed herself, communicate or talk. She spent several more weeks in the NICU, her health steadily improved until she was well enough to be discharged from hospital. Since then, Amalie has continued to beat the odds and surprise the health professionals.

From just a few months old Amalie has had the input and help from physiotherapists, occupational therapists, speech and language therapists, different clinics at Jenny Lind hospital. She was diagnosed with Scoliosis which over time, as she has strengthened her muscles, has been shown to be not a true curvature of the spine but was due to her having a stronger side of her body which she favoured using. Amalie has splints to wear since she was around a year and a half old, they help to hold her feet in the correct position and at the right angle to enable a correct position for standing and to help keep the muscles stretched out, without these Amalie's feet turn inwards/outwards and she is unable to keep flat footed, these often feel extremely uncomfortable for her as her feet are still pushing out against the position they are trying to be held in. Amalie has had years of 6 monthly injections of Botox into her lower leg muscles to help relax them to make her more comfortable and to enable her to stand better and use her walking frame, the effects of the injections are short lived so she is constantly battling with building strength when able to and then it deteriorating and having to start all over again. She also has medication 3 times a day to help the muscle spasms and stiffness in her legs. Amalie has had different types of specialist seating and equipment over the years as she has grown to help with postural support. Amalie relies on her wheelchair for independence.

SDR surgery will mean that Amalie will no longer have to have Botox injected into her legs every six months, indefinitely. Or have to take medication 3 times a day for the rest of her life. She won't have constant pain. She will have significant relief from the spasms and stiffness. She will be more comfortable wearing her splints with the possible scope of her not needing to wear them all the time. She will more likely to be able to self-transfer from her wheelchair to other seating, into a car or to standing up at her walking frame. She will have a better chance to succeed in walking using her frame and to even work towards being more independent walking. Amalie will be able to achieve more and be able to have life she deserves as she grows up and enters adulthood.

Despite her daily pain and struggles, Amalie is so driven to succeed, she constantly pushes her limits and she never complains. Amalie attends a mainstream school where she has 1-1 support to help reach her targets and enrich her learning she has also developed some good friendships. She thoroughly enjoys being active, riding her specialist trike and loves attending her weekly 1-1 private therapy sessions where she uses a range of equipment and different exercises to engage all of her muscles to enable her to gain strength and balance.

This amount we are trying to raise will cover fees for the surgery, there will still be ongoing costs for continual rehabilitation. As well as the costs of travel and accommodation from Norwich to Liverpool for surgery and for all follow up appointments.

All support is greatly appreciated and will have a colossal impact on Amalie's life. Thank you xx