My name is Laura and my age is 39yrs. I have the disability Spastic Diplegia Cerebral Palsy. As a result of a premature birth. I was born 9 weeks early and I have been confined to a wheelchair all my life

I found out there was an operation called SDR (Selective Dorsal Rhizotomy ) This is a neurosurgical operation on the spine which can help eliminate the stiffness (spasticity) that cerebral palsy causes affecting movements. After a two year long battle and more red tape than you can ever imagine the surgery was finally granted, and took place at The Walton Centre in Liverpool on 6th October 2014. This operation is most commonly offered to children. I am currently one of the oldest people in the UK to have had SDR carried out at a Uk hospital.

The outlook before the surgery was very bleak, although Cerebral Palsy is not described as being a progressive condition stiffness can worsen over time and in my case I was losing all the abilities I fought so hard all my life to have. To put it bluntly things got so bad that I couldn't even transfer anymore. I found the operation, researched it for two years before asking to be assessed and I was convinced it was the right option, maybe even the only option available to me to be able to get any quality of life back. Finding the surgery in the first place it was as if it was meant to be, the chance of a life time for sure.

My surgery lasted over 7 hours but you could see an almost immediate difference in my levels of stiffness and the way my limbs moved. I was in hospital for 9 days and then slowly as I recovered it was time for the hard work to begin. It was like starting from the beginning because the stiffness I had become dependent on for any function at all was no longer there.

We knew that extensive physio therapy/rehabilitation would be required following this but little did we realise I would receive no NHS physio at all following this surgery. The operation was a success but we knew I would not show any benefits if the strict rehabilitation programme was not followed.

The success and anything that happened next was down to me, my family and those who cared and wanted to help and see me succeed. Like many families we have been forced to fundraise in order to get what I need and realise the full benefits from the SDR operation. Thanks to everyone for pulling together we just about managed to pull this off and thanks to SDR my life is virtually unrecognisable from what it was.

Due to a life time of stiffness and the problems that it caused, more surgery was required. In the time following SDR Surgery I have had 4 further procedures. Hamstring lengthening, both legs, achilies tendon lengthening in my right leg. In May 2016 I had achilies tendon lengthening on my left leg, they also did a tendon transfer and a tendon graft. The most recent surgery was to my foot and big toe in August 2017 and I am now the proud owner of some screws and double staples.

Unfortunately in September 2019 I had a setback out of the blue and lost a lot of movement in my right leg. It happened overnight so this has obviously impacted on my progress. This has been very distressing, considering how hard I've tried and the amount of effort that has been put in to get where I am. and considering just how far I had come. The cause at present is not known. I contacted the hospital where my ortho surgeries took place, I had an appointment in November and the consultant arranged for scans to take place. I had an MRI scan on 22nd December and also a CT scan this took place on 24th January 2020. Since these have been completed I've contacted the hospital again and I have been told that it is a minimum 12 week wait to get the reports back and any results. The consultant advised me to continue with as much physio and therapies as I could, which I have done. There has been improvements in the general movement but I am still not back to the point at which I was. Having said that when I look back to September when my right leg had hardly any movement at all the differences and improvement is there to see.

I have been able to get a standing frame which has helped massively which has been a massive help as things came to a halt with coronavirus and the lockdowns we have experienced.. Thankfully things are opening up again now.

I have a very long way to go, and we knew from the beginning it was never going to be a quick fix, but I can still continue to improve with the right equipment and continued rehabilitation therapies. I still receive no NHS therapy at all, and I wish more than anything that we could fund the much needed equipment and therapy by ourselves but unfortunately this is just not possible. This means I am appealing for continued support.

I have thought about quitting but the more I achieve the more I can't bring myself to do it. I don't want big things in life just simple little things people take for granted every day. A walk in the park, to step on a beach to kick the autumn leaves, any help received can give me all these things. Please put yourself in my shoes just for one second, imagine what it would be like to do these things for the very first time ever!! Please play a part in my continued journey.

Therapy is currently costing £875 each month. This does not include equipment. I currently have enough fundraised money left to continue until the end of March 2020 (next month.) I am forever grateful for all the support I have received to date, and I know its a big ask but please continue to stand by me and help me continue in my journey. I really do not want this stage of my life to have to end here.

Just as before I will continue to post updates, photos and videos so you can all see how fundraised money is used and any progress that is made as a result of the help you give. Just giving updates are limited to a small number of characters, but I do have a Facebook page with more detailed updates which are easy to see one you like the page. Please see the page details below https://www.facebook.com/lauraswishsdrdream/

If you are unable to donate, don't worry. You can still help. Just by sharing this Just Giving page you can help my story to reach more people. Continued support would honestly mean the world, not only to me but to my family also.

I know my story is a lengthly one. So I thank you all for reading. Much love to you all.

Laura :-)