Angmering family in bid to change disabled daughter's life

THE family of a four-year-old girl have the backing of neighbours and strangers alike as they try to raise £40,000 for an operation that would change her life.
By The Newsroom
Published 28th Jan 2010, 12:15 BST
Updated 28th Jan 2010, 12:17 BST

Sophie Nugent, from Angmering, suffers with cerebral palsy, leaving her unable to walk or stand on her own, and crippled by painful spasms.

But all that could change with the help of a procedure to help her walk that is available only in the United States – although her family will need to find the 40,000 to pay for it.

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Mum Debbie said 1,000 had been raised in the last month, by the people of Angmering digging deep, and that the family had various events planned, including a aeroplane "wing walk" by Sophie's aunt Mandy Greaves and a sponsored silence by her 12-year-old sister Daisi.

Kindness of strangers

On top of that, a complete stranger, who joined a Facebook group set up by Debbie and husband Peter, has offered to do a sky dive for the cause.

"The generosity of people has completely blown me away," said Debbie, "it's been amazing, really amazing."

She added that Sophie's condition was due to a lack of oxygen at birth causing brain damage, and that she also suffered with epilepsy.

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"She uses a wheelchair and a walking frame, without them she can only crawl or hold on to furniture to move around. She has terrible stiffness in her leg muscles, which causes the spasms. There are some days she can't even get out of bed."

The Nugents started looking into the operation after seeing it featured in a fund-raising campaign for Charlotte Wakefield, three, from Dorset, on BBC1's South Today.

Dreams of a pain-free life

Called selective dorsal rhizotomy, it is neurosurgical procedure that changes the signals from the brain to the muscles, meaning Sophie could walk unaided, stand on her own and, crucially, enjoy a pain-free life.

"It would completely change her, and the family's, life," said Debbie.

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Describing Sophie, she said she had an extremely strong character and a great sense of humour.

To donate, join the Facebook group "Help Sophie to Walk", send a PayPal payment to [email protected] or call Debbie on 01903 859350.

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