Fynn could take first steps- but 38k treatment not available on NHS … – Plymouth Herald

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The family of a little boy who has cerebral palsy have been told he might be able to walk for the first time but they have to raise nearly 40,000 as the operation he needs isn't funded by the NHS.

Identical twins Fynn and Leo Fleming were born prematurely at 30 weeks, with Leo weighing in at a tiny 1.7lbs and Fynn at 3.5lbs.

The parents of the two happy babies noticed around a year later that Fynn wasn't hitting as many milestones as his brother and was unable to sit up or crawl.

Fynn was soon diagnosed with cerebral palsy which makes the toddler stiff and his movements jerky.

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Above all, the two-year-old is a happy boy who loves to mess around with his twin Leo. The family would love to see their boys be able to walk hand in hand and with the selective dorsal rhizotomy (SDR) operation it would make that goal achievable.

But after being told the fantastic news that Fynn was an excellent candidate for the spinal surgery, they were delivered the blow that the treatment isn't funded on the NHS and that they would have to raise thousands to get it done.

Mum Katie, who is a Devon and Cornwall Police PCSO, said: "On Friday we met with consultants at Bristol Royal Children's Hospital to see if Fynn was a suitable candidate for SDR.

"SDR is the dividing and cutting of nerves in the spinal cord. We were told that he was an excellent candidate.

"This operation would mean that most of his painful spasms would cease and that this would lead to him hopefully walk unaided. The fall then came that it is not currently funded on the NHS.

"This [operation] would change Fynn's life forever. As his parents it is something we would make the ultimate sacrifice for, for Fynn to be able to walk with his brother."

Katie and Ollie are hoping that by setting up the Justgiving page people will be able to help out with raising the 38,000 needed to let Fynn walk and play with his brother.

"The boys completely melt people's hearts when they meet them.

"They are typical brothers, and at the moment Fynn doesn't let his disability get in the way, but he is not yet able to realise how much he is held back. He is involved in everything but he has to be helped or carried to do so.

"Fynn sees what Leo can do, and at the same time this spurs him on. At the moment Leo helps him or holds his walker he is almost like a little carer already but we just want them to be brothers without that element."

The optimum age for children to have the operation is between the age of three and 10, with the family from Plympton hoping they will be able to get the surgery done in 12 months time.

To donate to Fynn's cause, visit: http://www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/FynnsFirstFootstep....

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Fynn could take first steps- but 38k treatment not available on NHS ... - Plymouth Herald