Here at the Checkatrade Foundation, we want to help make Max's miracle as he is a special little boy who needs an operation to improve his quality of life. 

Max was born 22^nd on October 2013, and his eagerness to come in to the world meant that he was born 5 weeks early. Because Max hadn’t finished developing he suffered brain damage, and as a result now has Cerebral Palsy Spastic Diplegia. This affects Max’s ability to move his legs, control his balance, develop his speech and enjoy all the normal activities most children take for granted.

At 6 months it was clear Max wasn’t progressing like other babies, and was unable to sit, crawl or bear weight on his legs. Max was referred to a specialist and the news his parents most feared was confirmed in January 2015.

At the age of two now, while he is an incredibly happy and smiley boy, but he can't walk and has poor balance when sitting up. 

Therefore, his parents are fundraising to pay for an operation in the USA called SDR (Selective Dorsal Rhizotomy). This could cost up to £70,000 which includes surgery, physio and follow up appointments. It's not currently available on the NHS as it's a new procedure but those that have had the operation, have found the results astonishing and many children are now able to move independently, have improved balance and comfort and reduced spasticity.  

Max's family have just learned he is eligible and St Louis Children's Hospital in Missouri have approved the operation and he is booked in for October 2016.

Now, the plan is to raise the funds needed to help improve their son's quality of life and they would be so grateful to anyone who feels able to support them and Max.