Fighter Billy is on his feet after lifechanging op

Fighter Billy is on his feet after lifechanging op

10 October 2012 - by BY CIARA COLHOUN

A COMBER child has taken his first steps following a life-changing operation fought for by his parents through a major publicity campaign.

Four year-old Billy Douglas walked for the first time just days after the £50,000 operation that was funded by the public through an unrelenting fundraising campaign launched by his family.

Billy needed the specialist six-and-a-half hour surgery in Birmingham to help him use his legs, which are affected by a form of cerebral palsy known as Spastic Displegia.

The operation was so successful that he was able to take his first unaided steps at his fourth birthday party two weeks ago.

Although his mother Savien, who is originally from Newcastle, is delighted and relieved the operation has been successful following the family’s 10-month fundraising campaign, she says she still has a lot of fighting to do on Billy’s behalf to ensure he is able to access physiotherapy that is essential to his continued recovery, and a wheelchair suited to his needs.

“We were determined that Billy would be able to have the surgery to help him walk, even though it is a relatively new surgery and needed to be self-funded,” she said.

“It was heart-wrenching sending him in for the long operation but within four days he was up walking with the held of a child’s zimmer frame.

“When he came around from the operation we were expecting the worst but he astonished everyone by bouncing back to himself in no time at all.”

After three weeks in Birmingham, the family returned home and Billy began an intense physiotherapy regime, which included three hours of work before lunch.

It was at this time that his parents realised they had failed to take into account the high costs of physiotherapy, which is crucial to his ongoing recovery.

This means they have once again been given help by their supporters to ensure Billy stays on his long road to recovery.

“We are still fighting with the NHS to give us some help with Billy’s rehab program with our consultants pleading with the trust for a rapid response and our politicians fighting our corner too,” she said.

“Without an intense rehab package the operation with have been in vain. We have no choice but to self fund, which costs £80 per hour and funds are rapidly dwindling.”

Savien said she is also waiting on a suitable wheelchair for Billy and is hopeful that a charity may provide the family with one.

“In the meantime Billy sits in a completely unsuitable chair,” she said. “It is disgusting how our children with disabilities are treated.

“I think that this is what has made Billy so determined to walk, as he cannot fit into his wheelchair anymore.”

Savien said her family would like to thank everyone who supported their campaign to access the life-changing surgery for Billy and said his recovery was something they never dreamt they would see.

“It is amazing how just one year can change a child’s life forever. “Billy can now walk.”