THE PARENTS of a four-year-old girl who travelled to America for a life-changing operation have been told she should be walking independently in a year's time.
Chingford Tot Ella Gilbert, who has a form of cerebral palsy, underwent the first half of the complex procedure on August 2, to correct the spastic diplegia condition.
Her leg muscles were constantly stiff and painful and the condition made it impossible for her to get around without a frame.
She had a second operation to lengthen her hamstrings and achilles tendons which would enable her to place her heels flat on the ground and has started learning to use sticks.
Her mother, Caroline Gilbert, 38, of Glendower Road, said: “She was so calm about it all, although given everything that's happened over the last two weeks it would probably take a lot to faze her now.”
The parents were told the 90-minute operation was "very successful” and a week later they met with the surgeon, Dr Tae Sung Park, to find out about Ella's progress.
Mrs Gilbert added: “The review meeting went well. Dr Park was pleased with Ella’s progress and believed she should be walking independently in a year’s time.
“We left the meeting in high spirits and went to a physio session where the reality of how much we have to do to get her walking struck us again.”
Ella has also been fitted with two pairs of splints, which are moulded plastic supports encasing most of her foot, ankle and calf, to keep her feet straight so they don't turn in when she is walking.
Mrs Gilbert said: “The best part was seeing how straight her feet were walking with her new splints.”
As her legs are getting stronger, Ella is now able to alternate between her sticks and walker and has been able to stand for several seconds at a time by herself.
Fundraising efforts have raised more than £38,000 to pay the deposit for the £60,000 procedure, at the Children’s Hospital in St Louis, Missouri, which is not available on the NHS.
The family are due to to return to the UK by the end of the month.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereComments are closed on this article