Find out why the steps this Flintshire toddler is taking are so very special
These are the miracle steps the parents of four year-old Betsi Roberts never thought she would take.
At 14 month-old the youngster from Penyffordd, Flintshire, was diagnosed with diplegic cerebral palsy meaning she could not sit, stand or walk unaided.
But after a pioneering private operation unavailable on the NHS Betsi, the little girl who always has a smile on her face, is taking amazing small steps with the help of a frame.
With intensive physiotherapy and hard work to build up her muscles, mum and dad Sarah and Sion Roberts are confident she will become fully mobile.
(Photo: Daily Post Wales)
Cerebral palsy affects the communication route from the brain to the spinal cord, which does not function effectively leading to spasticity.
“She had a lot of stiffness in her body and couldn’t stand,” said 29 year-old Sarah.
“It was awful to see her unable to get about and we thought she would never walk.”
Initially Sarah said the family were told there was no operation to help her available on the NHS.
But they found some UK doctors were being trained in selective dorsal rhizotomy (SDR), a complex spinal operation pioneered in the USA, which could change Betsi’s life.
was launched to pay for the £19,000 procedure at the Bristol Royal Hospital for Children in January.
Surgery reduces or eliminates stiffness and spasticity in the legs by severing nerves which aren’t working properly.
“The operation cut the nerves on Betsi’s back that were affecting her and the change has been amazing,” said Sarah.
“She is now having to retrain her brain to walk again, but is managing small distances with her walker which she couldn’t before.
“This has definitely changed her life, she couldn’t sit or walk on her own.
“Now she is able to sit cross-legged with her friends in school as long as somebody is behind her in case she falls back.
“Her legs have become strong and in the future we hope that she will get full mobility back.”
There is £6,000 left over from the fundraising campaign.
The family say it will go towards the two years of intensive physiotherapy Besti needs, costing £1,000 a month, meaning another £18,000 is needed.
Betsi’s fundraising page is still open and charity events are being staged to raise the cash.
The North Wales Charity Ramblers, from Penyffordd, have adopted her cause with their next event, a soul and Motown evening, being held at the village’s Royal British Legion on Saturday May 6. Tickets are £6 and can be picked up from the RBL.
