LONDON, August 3, 2015 /PRNewswire/ --
At the 11th hour, London's
Portland Hospital waved the shortfall of Jude Liversage's campaign so the seven-year-old
football fanatic could stand normally for the first time.
(Photo:
http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20150803/254228 )
(Photo:
http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20150803/254229 )
The Selective Dorsal Rhizotomy (SDR) procedure reduced the
spasticity in Jude's legs allowing him to carry out his wish to
kick a ball around like his schoolmates.
The estimated cost of a SDR procedure in Britain is currently between £30,000 and
£40,000, and despite fundraising schemes with the help of Chelsea
F.C. and Stoke City F.C., Jude's family had raised less than half
the money - until the SDR team at The Portland stepped in.
Jude underwent the Selective Dorsal Rhizotomy after years of
struggling to walk, run and play his beloved football. And thanks
to the treatment administered by consultant paediatric neurosurgeon
Mr Kristian Aquilina, Jude should now avoid having to spend his
adult life in a wheelchair.
Seven-year-old Jude now hopes to play an active role in football
matches and school sports days - something he couldn't fully enjoy
until this surgery was performed. Jude's father is very excited
about what the future now holds for his son.
"It really is remarkable and gives us hope that after a period
of rehabilitation Jude will be able to be more mobile and more
independent and eventually be able to kick a ball around like other
kids."
Selective Dorsal Rhizotomy (SDR) is a neurosurgical procedure
designed to reduce tightness in the legs and ankles of cerebral
palsy sufferers. Only around 25 percent of children aged between 4
and 10 may be able to benefit from the procedure, and those who do
can expect their life to change beyond all recognition after a
period of intense physiotherapy.
Jude's family placed him on an NHS waiting list for the
procedure, but they were fearful that he'd be too old for surgery
once it was available. The only viable alternatives were to either
travel to the USA for the
procedure or pay to have it performed privately in the UK.
Consultant Paediatric Neurosurgeon Kristian Aquilina has
extensive experience in neurosurgical procedures - gained in the
USA, Bristol and at Great Ormond Street
Hospital.
Janene Madden is the Chief
Executive of The Portland Hospital, and she explained that Jude was
the perfect patient throughout his treatment.
"We heard the extraordinary story of this football loving boy,
the absolute dedication of his family and the support of Jude's
football heroes and it touched everyone's hearts. We knew if anyone
could help it was Kristian Aquilina
and our brilliant SDR team.
"Jude has been a real star and we are all delighted he is making
such good progress."
About The Portland
The Portland is the UK's number one private healthcare facility
for children and women. A team of 600 specialist consultants and
nursing staff use the very latest technology to deliver exceptional
levels of care and treatment in the fields of obstetrics,
paediatrics and gynaecology.