Daniel Paice aged 7 has cerebral palsy. This affects his muscles and movement and generally makes everything extremely difficult. He has to use a frame to walk as his muscles don't work in the way they should.
Daniel attends Hampton Vale Primary School and is a happy and active pupil. Recently his parents found out about an operation in America which would significantly improve his long term health and movements. After being assessed by a hospital in St Louis, Missouri, Daniel's parents were told that he was an excellent candidate for the operation called Selective Dorsal Rhizotomy. The doctors in America expect Daniel to achieve independent walking around the home if he were to undertake the operation. This would dramatically improve Daniel's quality of life
for ever as the effects of the operation are permanent. They were told that there was a slot free in June or they would possibly have to wait until next year, so they have used their savings and borrowed the money to pay for Daniel to have the operation as soon as possible. The total medical bill alone is £44,000 - there is no help from the NHS, Daniel's parents have to find the money themselves. Daniel had the operation the first week in June and has made great progress since.
At the moment his goals for the next month until July are to use a treadmill for 10 minutes a day, kick a ball with his left foot (which he has since acheived) and before he comes home at the beginning of July, to stand alone - unaided!! He has never been close to doing these things but the physios in America believe that now the operation is over these are reasonable targets for now - he has 2 years to reach his potential so who knows!
You can monitor Daniels progress on his blog - stepbystepwithdaniel.blogspot.com
Sunday, 27th February 2011...
Daniels parents have now stopped fundraising towards the operation costs, and are pleased to announce that the medical bill has been paid. "Overall we have raised £22,000 and together with our own savings have paid for Daniel's treatment in America. Thankyou to anyone who has donated, given their time and supported Daniel and ourselves during our fundraising over the last nine months. You have all been fantastic and have helped us change our son's future for the better."