Family in mission to make brave Katie's dance dream come true

A youngster with cerebral palsy who dreams of dancing is facing another major operation to help her walk.

Nine-year-old Katie Holmes was one of the first children in the north west to undergo NHS surgery for the condition, a pioneering procedure to loosen her muscles by cutting nerves in the lower spine.

Although she saw improvements following the selective dorsal rhizotomy (SDR) operation last year, Katie has had surgery since and is facing more before she can stand on her own two feet.

Mum-of-three Emma, 30, from Denton, Tameside, said the SDR procedure had worked but, whereas many youngsters make a full recovery, Katie needed extra help.

She said: I think Katie is just one of the unlucky ones and needs more treatment. She can walk without a frame for a little bit but her legs turn in and sometimes she is tripping over her feet.

She is a strong little girl and I think shes used to it, but she just wants to be able to dance.

Emma and Katies dad Jonathan, 29, are now waiting to hear from the Leeds hospital where the youngster will have her operation called femoral derotation osteotomy.

Her recovery will depend on intensive physiotherapy and hydrotherapy and the family is now fundraising for private treatment to give her the best possible chance.

Donate at justgiving.com/Katiesdreams.

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Family in mission to make brave Katie's dance dream come true