Little Harvey Young was today (June 1) jetting off for a life-changing operation in America to help him walk unaided.
The three-year-old, who lives in Titchfield Common, was flying out with mum Natalie to a hospital in St Louis, Missouri for the selective dorsal rhizotomy (SDR) operation which will be on June 4.
Harvey ready for his operation in America with parents Natalie and Nick Young
“The operation will strengthen his legs and it will give Harvey a different feeling,” said Natalie, 35, of Bellflower Way.
“Now they’re very heavy and hard to move. After the operation they will be a bit like jelly because he’s got to learn to control them. It will be hard at first because he’ll have to learn everything from crawling and walking all over again. But then it will be easier for him to get around.
“I’m quite excited for it. I’ll be nervous for the operation. He’ll be sedated and we can’t touch him. Harvey needs to start to move on his own before the physio starts because he’ll know his own pain threshold. Then different exercises can begin. Thursday will be the relief day when we’ll know more.
“He’s so determined with his physiotherapy now, so I’m quite hopeful. It’s all very exciting and very surreal.
“He knows he’s going on holiday and going on a big plane. He knows he’s going to have an operation – but whether he knows what an operation is, I don’t know. He says he’s getting new legs.”
Natalie’s mother will accompany the pair while Harvey’s dad Nick, will stay in England to continue working and fundraising for the Help4Harvey campaign.
Natalie and Harvey will be overseas for 33 days while Harvey has physiotherapy for one hour per day, but with a range of more intense exercises tailored to improving the movement in his legs post-operation.
“I think I’m more apprehensive,” said Nick, aged 38. “There is risk of paralysis. If you start messing around with the spine and the nerves you’ve got to have those risks associated. There are risks, but they’re quite low.
“When it’s your child those risks are somewhat amplified.”
The campaign has raised more than £34,000 for the surgery – but they still need to raise another £20,000 for Harvey’s physiotherapy, which costs £1,000 per month.
The family will continue the series of fundraising events, while concentrating on Harvey’s recovery, moving house in July and the arrival of a baby sister for Harvey in August.
Upcoming events include a fancy dress South Down’s half marathon, a park run in Victoria Country Park and the Spinathon at Chamberlyne Leisure Centre in Southampton.
Nick will also be hosting a stall at the Sarisbury Green Fair on the Green on June 8 with face painting, tombola and other games.