About the Surgery

Ocean is three and has Cerebral Palsy, and because of this she is unable to walk independently:  Ocean was accepted as a candidate for Selective Dorsal Rhizotomy (SDR),  life-changing surgery at St. Louis Children's Hospital in Missouri, USA, which will enable her to walk.  

We invite you to join us in making her dreams to walk & dance come true.  If you feel called in any way to support this cause we would greatly like to hear from you.  

What is Cerebral Palsy

Cerebral Palsy (CP) is a life-long condition that affects the communication between the brain and the muscles, causing a permanent state of uncoordinated movement and posturing. CP may result from several problems, such as lack of oxygen to the brain, genetic conditions, infections, brain hemorrhage, severe cases of jaundice, and injury to the head. (http://www.stlouischildrens.org/diseases-conditions/cerebral-palsy)

The Procedure

Children with cerebral palsy spasticity who travel to St. Louis Children’s Hospital will benefit from the latest technology and some of the world’s leading neurosurgery specialists: Selective Dorsal Rhizotomy (SDR) at The St Louis Children's Hospital is an excellent option for selected patients with spastic cerebral palsy.  

The  Selective Dorsal Rhizotomy (SDR) procedure involves operating on the patients spine and accessing the spinal cords to establish which cords are responsible for the spasticity, and surgically reducing the spasticity  messages from the brain to the sensory fibres. 

The hospital's brochure goes on to state; "The rhizotomy can reduce spasticity permanently and improve motor activities. When performed at an early age, the rhizotomy can reduce the number of orthopedic operations patients might otherwise require. Over the past 20 years, we have proven the selective dorsal rhizotomy to be a very safe and effective surgery. "

Being a major spinal surgery, the procedure is followed by intensive recovery and physiotherapy to retrain muscles for normal movement.  

Basically, the SDR procedure is Ocean's best bet at normal motor function; it's a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for her...  She's been accepted as a candidate, now she just needs our help to get her there. 

Read the Hospital's informative PDF document on Selective Dorsal Rhizotomy (SDR) here. 

Sources: 

Selective Dorsal Rhizotomy (SDR) at The St Louis Children's Hospital: http://www.stlouischildrens.org/our-services/center-cerebral-palsy-spasticity/about-selective-dorsal-rhizotomy-sdr

The St. Louis Hospital Children's Centre for Cerebral Palsy Spasticity: http://www.stlouischildrens.org/our-services/center-cerebral-palsy-spasticity