Jessica is our beautiful 5 year old daughter from Aberdeen. She has Diplegic Cerebral Palsy and wants to be as independent as possible. She was born 10 week premature and stayed in NICU for 6 weeks. Her stay was straight forward with no major complications.

Jessica reached all her milestone, although they did take a bit longer to achieve with her being premature. However, at round 1 years old she didnt seem to show any progression from cruising to taking intendant steps. I did not worry too much as I know it might take that little bit longer. She reached 18 months and was still cruising. Panic now sets in.

We were initially told that she had low muscle tone and would walk but to give it time. I was relieved as it was just a waiting game, but the walking never mustered. With a referral to a neurologist it was confirmed that Jessica our beautiful daughter had Cerebral palsy. We were heartbroken.

Jessica has to attend many appointments to be monitored to ensure that the spasticity in her body isnt causing her muscles to tighten too much and make her mobility worse. Children with cerebral palsy have to work extremely hard just to move and get about.

Jessica has been for the last few years been seen by NHS Physio and attending Hippotherapy to help her mobility but as she get older she wants to join in with her friend and we think that adding more therapy into the mix will allow Jessica the best chance to join in and have the opportunity to become as independent as possible.

Jessica at the moment is not strong enough to receive Selective Dorsal Rhizotomy, a procedure that can change the life of a child with Cerebral Palsy. The procedure reduces that spasticity in the legs to allow a more independent life. With fundraising for Just4Children we aim to increase therapy session to get Jessica in a place where she could get this procedure.

The procedure itself is not the end of the journey. After the procedure Jessica will require therapy to strengthen her muscles again and learn to use her body without the spasticity.

We hope that fundraising will allow for Jessica the best possible chance.

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