Plucky Eve is learning to walk again after op (From Ilkley Gazette)
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Plucky Eve is learning to walk again after op
9:00am Saturday 18th August 2012 in News By Jonathan Redhead
Eve Williams, from Menston, learning walking skills with mum, Gina, after returning from her operation in the US
Parents of a youngster back home after a life-changing operation say she is making “great progress”.
Eve Williams underwent a specialist operation in the St Louis Children’s Hospital in Missouri, USA, last month in a bid to help her walk independently.
The seven-year-old from Menston, who has quadriplegic cerebral palsy, had selective dorsal rhizotomy surgery and also underwent an operation to lengthen her heel cords, after more than £100,000 was raised to help pay for the treatment and physiotherapy.
Now she is back home with her family – dad David, mum Gina and sister Scarlett – and starting the major recovery and rehabilitation process.
And after some initial concerns following her surgery, her family say Eve is growing in confidence every day.
“Eve is making great progress with her walking and took her first independent steps in her Kaye walker last Tuesday,” the family said on their evesjourney.co.uk website.
“It’s a matter of building up her confidence and stamina now.
“Having the money in Eve’s fund has allowed us to buy her a specialist rehab treadmill that should be here by the end of the week. That will really help Eve achieve her goals.”
A video of Eve walking can be seen at youtube.com/watch?v=XDBnOuv4VMk.
Her operation was carried out by the world-renowned Dr T S Park, who is a specialist in the procedure that corrects misfiring nerves, significantly improving a patient’s mobility and hopefully helping them walk independently.
The procedure is followed by intensive physiotherapy in the United States and further treatment back at home, which could last up to five years.
Several families from West Yorkshire have now had surgery carried out by Dr Park, including Ben Smithson, 11, from Ilkley, who is currently in America for an 18-month check-up, and Evan Whitton, eight, from Silsden, who will represent Yorkshire at a Paralympic Games flame ceremony.
