The dreams of a six-year-old boy are set to come true after his parents learned he has been accepted for life-changing surgery which could help him to walk.
Sam and Liam Smith took their son, Zachery, for an appointment at Great Ormond Street Hospital two weeks ago and were told he will be suitable to undergo the procedure, called Selective Dorsal Rhizotomy. Zachery has cerebral palsy and the operation, which involves cutting the nerves in the spine that cause tightness in the legs – a dominant feature of cerebral palsy – is not available on the NHS after a decision in 2014 to cut funding.
“It is such a relief now that Zach has been accepted for the operation,” said Sam.
“ It has been a stressful few weeks leading up to the appointment but we are so very happy that Zach’s dream will come true. Now he has been accepted we are excited and nervous, he has lots of things to work on to prepare him for after the operation.”
The family, who live in Bramley Drive in Offord Darcy, have been told Zachery is on the waiting list and will probably wait for about six months.
Sam and Liam were featureed in The Hunts Post when they launched a fundraising campaign to raise the money, about £40,000, to pay for the surgery. They have been supported by hundreds of local people who have organised events and raised cash to help Zachery.
“We would like to thank everyone who have given their time to help with the fundraising and to those who have helped with advertising our events, without you we could not of achieved the success that we have had.”
Zachery was invited to be the mascot and meet the players at Swindon Town’s home game with Charlton Athletic on November 12.
Sam and five friends are taking part in the JudgementDayUK at Pippingford Park, a 6k mudrun, in April next year. St Neots Rugby Club is holding a Festival of Rugby to raise funds for Zachery’s Aim and The Woodlands Trust.
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