A family is trying to raise £45,000 for a life-changing operation for a nine-year-old Caerphilly boy.
Tom Sargent has cerebral palsy and cannot walk unaided because of his condition. The operation that can change his life and help him walk is not available on the NHS.
Called Selective Dorsal Rhizotomy (SDR), the operation would cut nerve fibres in Tom’s spine and allow him to straighten his legs and walk unaided.
His only hope is a trip to America where the surgery can be performed. Parents Chris and Leanne are now fundraising for their little boy so he can make the trip.
Student nurse Leanne, 29, explained: “Up until 17 months Tom had hit all his milestones like other babies and it was only the milestone of walking left.
“We took him to the doctors and they diagnosed him with spastic diplegia, a form of cerebral palsy.”
Spastic diplegia causes a muscle stiffness in Tom’s legs meaning he cannot put his feet flat. Tom can walk very short distances with his frame, but because of the pain and discomfort he has to use a wheelchair.
Leanne said: “He goes to Ysgol Gynradd Caerffili and is really bright kid. I just feel that as parents, we have to give Tom the chance of that operation.
“We’ve done the research and this is something we want Thomas to have. This will change his life forever. It will be about the independent steps he can take. He won’t be able to walk long distances, but he won’t need anybody to help him in and out of a chair.
“It’s a life-changing operation and that’s what the local health authorities don’t understand. It’s not about how many steps he will be able to take. I’m not thinking he’s going to run, but he will be able to walk without a frame.”
The family needs £45,000 for the trip to America which will pay for the operation, the flights and the months of intensive physiotherapy Tom will need afterwards. Caerphilly Indoor Market has donated a pitch so the family can set-up stall every Saturday and sell donated items.
You can donate to Tom’s appeal through his Just Giving page at www.justgiving.com/tomsdream