Olivia's Dream to Walk

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Olivia is 8 years old.  She and her twin sister Grace were born at 28 weeks 5 days (over 11 week early).  As a result of complications she suffered heart failure before birth.  Due to this and the fact she was born so prematurely and needed a ventilator to keep her alive, she suffered brain damage causing cerebral palsy spastic diplegia.  At the moment Liv uses a kaye walker to get about although does need a wheelchair if we are going to be walking further than just into town and often ends up sitting on the back of her walker and being pushed back to the car.  She gets tired very easily as her muscles in her legs are so tight. 

BUT to our delight she has been approved as being suitable for an operation called selective dorsal rhizotomy.  This is a major operation which divides some of the nerves in her spine, therefore allowing her muscles to relax.  With the right after care package, this could result in Olivia being able to walk unaided!!  We are so happy and excited that Liv has been selected as one of the children to have this op funded by the NHS.

We have set our goal at £50,000 to fundraise for Tree of Hope which will pay for private physiotherapy, sessions at SDR Fitness Wales, hydrotherapy, hippotherapy, various pieces of equipment and a therapy room at home, which will enable Olivia to have continued access to her daily fitness and physiotherapy regime.  This will be necessary to maximise the benefits of having the operation. 

Please help in any way you can - raising awareness and sharing the page, donating yourself, organising fundraising events - we would be so very grateful for any help you are able to provide.

Should we exceed the target amount or if we do not raise enough funds, or if they cannot be used for any other reason, the funds raised will go to the general funds of Tree of Hope to assist other sick children.  

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