An appeal has been launched to raise £50,000 to help a schoolboy WALK.
Little Alfie Smith suffers from cerebral palsy, it affects his movement in his arms and legs – preventing him from carrying out the simplest of tasks, such as brushing his teeth and getting himself ready.
The lack of spasticity in the nine-year-old’s legs also leave him unable to walk.
Added to this, brave Alfie has to undergo an punishing physiotherapy regime, consisting if intense sessions three times a day, and twice a year has Botulinum injections to make it easier for his exercises to be carried out.
But there is now a glimmer of hope of the youngster’s horizon that he may, one day, be able to walk.
Alfie’s mum, Annie Stally has been told of an operation which would increase the spasticity of her son’s muscles, and at this moment Alfie is an ideal candidate to undergo the selective dorsal rhizotomy (SDR) surgery.
But it is a race against time to raise the £50,000 needed to pay for the operation which will be carried out at Leeds General Infirmary, West Yorks., because if his condition deteriorates he will no longer be suitable.
Mum Annie, 29, of Hartlepool, Co Durham, said: “Alfie is such a happy go lucky and positive little boy, but there are times when it does get to him, especially when he’s unable to join in playing with his friends at school.
“He does get a lot of support from his school and his friends, but it breaks my heart to see how much of a childhood he is missing out on.
“He works so hard with his physiotherapy and you can see in his eyes how much pain he is in and it hurts me so much to see it.
“He has to have Botulinum injections which help to stretch his muscles, but to have to hold him down so they can insert long needles into his muscles, it’s devastating.
“I have another child, Alex, who is younger and he is fantastic with Alfie, but it’s so upsetting for him to have to see him in so much pain.
“This operation will be absolutely life-changing for him. I would love him to be able to walk independently. He has set his heart on having this operation.”