1st Mar (4 Months post SDR)

First of all sorry for the delay in updating everyone on Oliver's progress, since our return mid November we have been very busy strenghening and re-training Oliver to walk better. Oliver has 5 hours therapy a week this includes treadmill, hydrotherapy, private physio sessions and best of all Taekwondo this would not have been an option before as Oliver would fall over due to his poor balance.

I can now confirm that all the hard work and patience is paying off, the things we notice may not be huge to some people but to a 7 yr old boy they are.

The biggest change is Oliver's balance, he has less falls infact hardly ever, pre SDR Oliver could not even carry his school rucksack without falling over.He was still holding my hand or his sisters pushchair before SDR, since home he has walked to school next to his brother.

He is starting to hop, his stamina is increasing as due to the spacticity (tightness) he had any activity would tire him out alot quicker than that of an average child, he also struggled with distance infact most day trips he would end up being carried or in a pushchair, last yr the NHS said Oliver would need a wheelchair for distance. Oliver managed 4 days in Disneyland without the need for a pushchair, this to us is fantastic and shows that Oliver is making progress. Oliver's  movement is more fluid.

The pattern of Olivers movements are also changing, he is being taught to walk heel to toe and does so some of the time although we expect it to be some time before this is consistant due to habits that have formed and the weakness that he still has.

There are many post op videos on Oliver Facebook group page which you can look at by clicking the link on the home page on this website, or by clicking on the links below.

 Oliver 1 day before his operation filmed by St Louis Childrens Hospital.

http://www.youtube.com/user/tjsmith210274#p/u/6/g0K7zuZydMw

Oliver 3.5 weeks post op

http://www.youtube.com/user/tjsmith210274#p/u/5/RBjIGLnz-jI

Oliver 2 Months post op

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KvKAtbqxuzU

Oliver 3 Months post op

http://www.youtube.com/user/tjsmith210274#p/u/1/bhU6dRGYlxI

SDR Reunion 28th Jan

There was an SDR party held in Daventry last month, which most of the UK post op kids attended this was a fantastic weekend, especially nice as we met up with all the families we spent time with and got close to in St Louis with the added bonus of Micheal and Joan the physios from America attending, some photos below.

   The photo above is one taken of all the UK children that have had this operation in America, This has really been an amazing journey and very surreal. Four years ago we were told that Oliver had Cerebral Palsy and at best his condition could only be managed, Dr Park and his team has improved Oliver's quality of life along with many others, we will never be able to thank them enough.

This has also only been made possible by the people that have helped Oliver get there, thankyou just doesn't seem enough for people that have helped changed a little boys life and a families.

Oliver's Future

Oliver will continue with his therapy for the next 8 months and stretches for at least 18 months, Dr Park wants a video at 6 months and to see him at 18-24 months. I will update on here again. At the party Joan (Olivers American physio) checked Olivers ranges she said they are all normal with exception to right hamstring that is a little on the tight side, for now we continue as we are with the stretches unfortunately lenghening cant be ruled out until Oliver has stopped growing which is still and always will be a problem for children with Cerebral Palsy but thankfully the spacticity is gone so this should prevent  further problems or at least limit them considerably. Oliver will continue to get stronger and improve, we could not be happier with the progress already made.