Story
Ethan had Selective Dorsal Rhizotomy on the 4th June 2013 at The Frenchay Hospital, Bristol. The results from this operation have been outstanding. Ethan works so hard every day to have been able to achieve where he is today with constant Physio and Personal training.
Ethan has decide to take part in a walk around Dorney Lake which is nearly 3 miles, to help raise fund for Ben Butler who is going to St Louis hospital in Missouri this year for the same operation. Please read below some details about Ben.
Ben is 5 years old and due to complications during pregnancy he has Quadriplegia Cerebral Palsy. This causes extreme tightness/spacticity in all four limbs and decreased tone in his tummy. Unfortunately this makes it very difficult for Ben to sit unaided. Just stretching Ben's muscles can be very painful for him but we need to do this daily. Bens main choice of mobility is rolling. His speech is very little, quiet and unclear, just a handful of words. We communicate by guessing, pointing and eye pointing. He is incontinent so still wears nappies. Since starting school Ben can drink from a cup with maximum support and eat finger foods independently but otherwise we feed him. His food has to been soft and small as he chokes so he needs constant attention while eating/drinking, although he has got a lot better with this.
Ben is such a determined, hard working, fun and happy boy but his physical restricitions are extremely frustrating for him. His mind is so willing but his body just wont let him. We want to do everything we can to help him overcome these challenges and live his life as full & as painfree as possible!
Ben has been accepted by a hospital in America to have a life changing operation called SDR (selective dorsal rhizotomy) The aim of selective dorsal rhizotomy is to ease muscle spasticity and improve mobility in people with cerebral palsy. It involves cutting nerves in the lower spine that are responsible for muscle rigidity. For us to be able to take Ben for this life-changing operation we need to raise a huge £60k!!!!! We really need your help to be able to change ben's life for the better-god knows he deserves it!!!