Sophia needs €100k op so she can have the childhood she deserves
Mum’s funds plea for US cerebral palsy surgery
THE family of a girl with cerebral palsy hope to raise €100,000 for an operation so she can take part in “dance classes or sports”.
Catriona Griffin, from Dundalk, Co Louth, said her daughter, three, had a growth spurt this month leading to “more tight muscles” and pain.
She added: “Unfortunately, this is how spastic cerebral palsy works and is why Sophia’s mobility is likely to decline as she grows.”
Catriona said parents can never be prepared to learn their child has the debilitating condition.
She told how Sophia has been provided with an early intervention team “who have been very good at getting the therapies and equipment she needs”. Catriona said: “We also have explored different private therapies to help her along the way, as well as doing an at-home physiotherapy programme everyday.”
The mum added she and husband Gerry thought carefully before organising the operation in the US.
They have begun to fundraise for the €100,000 costs and have been given a date of May 2020 for surgery.
Catriona said: “For 2019, we hope to run various events in an effort to raise the funds as fast as we can.
“As parents having to fundraise was also not an easy decision as it can be hard to ask for help. We would never forgive ourselves knowing there is something out there that can help Sophia lead a pain-free life with no limitations.
“We want to see her partake in whatever dance classes or sports she would like.” The Selective Dorsal
CO LOUTH YESTERDAY
Rhizotomy procedure will be performed at Saint Louis Children’s Hospital in Missouri by paediatric neurosurgeon Dr TS Park.
He has operated on a number of Irish children and while SDR will not cure the spasticity in Sophia’s legs, it should greatly improve her quality of life.
Catriona, who is also mum to Caolan, six, and 14-year-old Chloe, said, “We have been researching the benefits and meeting and speaking with various people who have had the surgery done.” She added the family wanted to be “110% operation was beneficial.
The parents met Dr Park who told them their daughter would be a perfect candidate for the procedure.
Catriona said: “Having spoken to so many people who have had the surgery, we knew we had to pursue SDR for Sophia.
“Dr TS Park is the world’s top neurosurgeon and has operated on more than 4,000 patients. He has refined this surgery and is the only person we as parents would trust to do this operation given his extensive experience in this type of surgery.”
After the surgery Sophia will need intensive physiotherapy for at least two years and the fundraising will also go towards coverage that cost. sure” the
Dr TS Park is the world’s top neurosurgeon & has operated on more than 4,000 patients CATRIONA GRIFFIN