As most of you know, Eva has got cerebral palsy, which affects the muscle tone in many areas of her body. She was diagnosed at the age of 1 year when she was late in reaching the physical goals that come naturally to most children (like sitting up independently and standing/ starting to walk). Eva also has great difficulty with her fine motor skills as her condition affects the use of her right arm and hand.

Thankfully, through our fundraising last year and the generous donations from our friends and family, we were able to take Eva to the amazing Napa Center in America, where she undertook 3 weeks of intensive specialist therapy with a team of 4 highly skilled physio and occupational therapists. The style of treatment that Eva received was very different to anything we have seen in the UK, alongside some high-tech equipment, including the 'Neurosuit' (as modelled by Eva below) which helped to improve Eva's strength, coordination, stamina and giving lasting improvements that we still see now. Most importantly, Eva started using a proper, light weight walking frame, taking her first independent steps in one of these during her physio at Napa and gradually improving during these last few months at home.

Eva is a very happy and determined little girl, who just wants to join in and do all of the things that other children of her age do (but with a lot more help!). She spends a large chunk of her time having to do physio exercises at home, at a weekly group and at occasional NHS sessions, but we feel that it's the intensive style of therapy that we received in America that helped boost Eva's physical ability and confidence so much.

The Los Angeles Napa Center gets fully booked for up to a year in advance, but they have recently opened up a Boston centre and have a slot available in August. We would love to take Eva there for another intensive course, but this time also doing an hour of occupational therapy each day to help improve the coordination in her right hand, as well as the 3 hours of physiotherapy.

We would massively appreciate any donations toward this life changing trip for Eva as we know it will help her so much. Please feel free to share our page.

Naomi and James xx

Link to information about the Napa Center

"Our therapists deliver diverse and innovative therapies from around the world, helping your child reach their full potential."

Eva doing physio in the neurosuit, which helps keep the body in alignment whilst adding resistance (and therefore strengthening the muscles).