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In 2004 and at only 15 months old, Emily was what we thought, a very upset baby. Constantly upset and teary and always wanted cuddling and holding. This in turn made things a bit more demanding and of course tensions rose. As her parents we couldn't be more thrilled that she had eventually started to walk pull herself along the sofa and stand up by herself. It was at that time that we noticed it. The hobbling that didn't look natural and the reluctance to put on any weight on her left leg. At bath time we also noticed the main tell tale sign of what we later learned was her condition - the uneven creases in her bottom and top of her thigh. At first we thought it was just the way she was, and that she would eventually pick it up and she would start walking level and that the creases would sort themselves out, but after a few more days and the situation not getting better, we took her to see the local GP who advised we should go to hospital immediately for an X-Ray. That drive was awful. We didn't know what to expect. Upon arrival we took her down for X-rays which revealed she had what is now known as DDH - where the ball and socket joint of the hip have not formed properly leaving the thigh (ball) not fitting into the hip (socket). This had what caused the discomfort and pain for Emily and ultimately the ungainly walk. The doctors informed us that this is only rectified by surgery to which she underwent. Following the surgery, Emily woke up in a strange place, in pain and with a large cast on her hips and legs that for the first hour, tried to push off. It was heart breaking watching our little girl go through the recovery in hospital for a week. After a few days she adapted to the cast and started to smile and play which was amazing. After a week, we were allowed to take Emily home where she recovered for 3 months in the cast. Having a child that can walk but can't because she is lying down on the floor in a large cast or sat on your knee is heart wrenching, seeing the sadness in her eyes as she lying motionless on the floor watching tv, is a look I never want to see again. What gets you through is that you know that it will all be worth it. By the time the cast come off, Emily was ready - she had even learned to stand up in it with her little toes poking out of the bottom! It came off and after a few days of being like Bambi, she was walking brilliantly. We smiled, we took her for walks and we were so lucky to have the amazing surgeons, doctors and staff at Alder Hey in Liverpool to get us through those dark times. 

Also getting us through those dark times was firstly our eldest daughter Jenna. She was amazing through this time and being only 9, was the outlet for Emily to play with and get closer to her big sister. She was a huge help to us too and was totally brilliant. Although at times it appeared we were leaving her out and giving Emily all our attention, we of course, didn't mean to. Secondly, after hearing what was possibly the most shattering news that parents can hear - your child needs severe surgery - were STEPS. This charity is amazing, they provide support, help and are ears for any parents going through what we went through. My daughter, believe it or not was robust. After that first week in hospital, she was tough. She smiled and took it in her stride. She handled it brilliantly. It was us as parents that lost it. It was us that needed assurance that she would be ok. It is a brilliant small charity that changes the lives of so many children. Yes, STEPS is a charity for the children, but it is the parents that feel so much benefit. Parents needn't feel lonely, needn't feel guilty or try and hide emotions. We didn't. We reached out to STEPS and they provided help, set up coffee mornings and forums so parents can all discuss and bring the children along and meet and greet each other. They provided advice. They told us who to go to if we needed special provisions. You can open up and talk about it.

12 years later and in the second year of high school, and although I don't see her as much as I would like to, her older sister and mum tells me that Emily is now a normal 13 year old girl loving music, friends and TV. She struggles a tad tying her left lace, sitting cross legged, or running fast, but I can live with that. I know she certainly can!

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