After what was a seemingly perfect pregnancy, Harper was born suddenly at 36 weeks by emergency c-section when her parents Natasha and Steve visited the hospital with reduced movements. When Harper was born she weighed just 4lb 4oz and she was whisked away to the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU). Doctors told Natasha and Steve that if they hadn't gone to the hospital with suspected reduced movements then Harper wouldn't be here as her body had rapidly been shutting down for some time - had they been 30 minutes later she would have died. Doctors discovered during the c-section that Harper had tied a knot in her cord, somewhere in the third trimester. There was a one in 40,000 chance of this happening and it is called a True Knot. Had Natasha given birth naturally the cord would have split and Harper would not be here.

Harper was in NICU for a total of seven weeks due to severe hypoglycaemia and hyperinsulinism and her parents were told she was only the second baby to have this condition in 15 years in East Anglia. Her blood sugar reading was unreadable it was so low. Whilst in NICU she had many different procedures including blood transfusions, cannulas, long lines, numerous medications, steroid blood testing and blood sugar heel pricks every hour and in January 2017 she was an in-patient at Great Ormond Street Hospital.

A head scan revealed cysts on her brain and a later MRI scan showed she now has multiple cysts on her brain. The cysts caused part of her brain not to form and she was diagnosed with Spastic Quadriplegic Cerebral Palsy, a chronic neuromuscular disorder that causes muscle tightness and spasms. Harper will probably never walk unaided. She will need splints, a walking frame and she may need a wheelchair when she is older. She cannot sit properly, crawl or stand. She only began rolling at 11 months. Her vision may be affected as she grows and doctors are unsure if she will ever talk properly, if at all. She has weekly physiotherapy, occupational therapy, eye clinic, portage, sensory, communication, speech and language appointments.

Her parents began researching the best therapies and care for Harper to enable her to have the best quality of life of possible and they discovered SDR (Selective Dorsal Rhizotomy) surgery in America performed by the amazing Dr Park. This is a spinal surgery where the nerves are severed which cause spasticity. SDR surgery is the only treatment that can remove spasticity permanently and no other treatment can do this. This amazing surgery will be Harper's only chance to be able to walk.

The SDR surgery is followed by a five-day hospital stay after which tough rehabilitation work begins, including daily physical therapy with hospital therapists. Patients are expected to stay in St. Louis, Missouri for about a month and then they must continue intensive physical therapy at home for a few more months. When Harper is two years old doctors will assess her to see if she qualifies for this life changing procedure.

We want to start fundraising early to try and raise as much money as possible to get her the best treatment available as Harper is the most remarkable and determined little girl who takes everything in her stride and is constantly proving people wrong, a true little miracle!

Any donation no matter what amount will be greatfully recieved.