18/12/2023
Meet Mabel, a happy 6-year-old who was born with cerebral palsy. She and her twin brother, Arthur, arrived 10 weeks earlier than expected, spending their first months in the NICU and the hospital. Mabel's journey began with her brain damage evident from an early ultrasound, which was later confirmed by an MRI.
As a baby, Mabel faced challenges. Her limbs were stiff, and her arms stretched down her body with straight legs. She started physiotherapy at just 3 months old, a journey that continues today and will extend into her adulthood. Cerebral palsy affects her arms and legs, resulting in spasticity – sudden involuntary muscle movements and tensions, more noticeable in her legs. She's yet to walk independently and relies on a walker for short walks and a pram for daily mobility.
Mabel is a vibrant soul, full of love and curiosity. She enjoys chatting, singing, and asking Google speakers for songs and Peppa Pig stories. She loves reading, swimming, elevators, microphones, playground swings, and her tablet. She even knows how to say "I love you" in 10 languages and often shares this love with everyone around her. She has a knack for telling jokes (especially English dad jokes) and is known as the loudest one in the house!
But here's the exciting news: Mabel has been medically approved for a life-changing procedure called Selective Dorsal Rhizotomy (SDR). This groundbreaking surgery involves precisely severing sensory nerve fibers connecting her muscles to the spinal cord. This will take place in America, in St. Louis by its inventor, Dr. Park. (you will find details about the operation on our page)
Cerebral palsy spasticity posed challenges, hindering muscle growth, causing painful muscle contractures, and orthopaedic deformities. However, with SDR, we have a chance to address her spasticity at this early stage, potentially reducing the severity of these deformities and giving Mabel a brighter future. The trip to America will be for over 4 weeks and will include 3 weeks of recovery, rentals and purchase of equipment. And after the trip to America, the hard work continues with an intensive Physiotherapy and Occupational Therapy program and equipment purchases and medical appointments.
We believe in Mabel's strength and resilience. She's already come a long way, but SDR is a costly procedure. Yet, it's like a superhero surgery that can significantly improve her quality of life. We're determined not to give up now.
With your support, we can make Mabel's dreams come true. Let's be Mabel's heroes and help her smile and laugh even brighter, giving her the best life possible, filled with happiness and adventure.
