Thea was born 7 weeks early, along with her twin brother Arlo. After a traumatic start to life, both of them spent over two weeks in NICU before we could bring them home.

For her first year of life, Thea missed some milestones such as sitting up independently, rolling over and crawling. 

Eventually, we had a diagnosis of PVL (periventricular leukomalacia) which is a form of brain injury impacting premature babies. This then led to a diagnosis of cerebral palsy - which predominantly affects Thea's lower limbs and means Thea is unable to walk unaided. It also impacts her speech, hand function and upper body to a certain degree.

Thea is due to have life changing surgery at Great Ormond St hospital very soon. SDR, selective dorsal rhizotomy, is a surgical treatment to treat the spasticity in her legs. It is major surgery and involves a long hospital stay along with very intense physiotherapy both before and after.

We are raising money to support Thea's strength development and recovery. This involves needing private physiotherapy, equipment, swimming/hydrotherapy, home adaptations and orthotics. Much of which is not available on the NHS.

There is nothing more heart breaking than seeing your own child struggle to keep up with their peers, or ask you 'mummy if I do my exercises, will I walk like my friends one day?', or cry with frustration just trying to put her own shoes on. 

With your help, we can support her one and only wish. To walk.

7.5% of all donations to Tree of Hope in relation to this appeal will be allocated to the general charitable purposes of Tree of Hope to cover our core operating costs.

 
If we raise insufficient funds, or surplus funds, then the funds will be used, if appropriate, to fund support for our child’s needs in accordance with Tree of Hope’s charitable objects.  If in those circumstances we are unable to use all or part of the funds for the benefit of our child in accordance with Tree of Hope’s charitable objectives, then any funds that cannot be used will be transferred to be used for the general charitable purposes of Tree of Hope.