Appeal to help fundraise for Burgess Hill girl’s cerebral palsy surgery

A family from Burgess Hill are fundraising to help their three-year-old daughter with cerebral palsy.

Annabelle, who has cerebral palsy in all four of her limbs as a result of complications around the time of her birth, is unable to sit, stand or walk independently.

Rochelle, her mother, said: “We are currently fundraising for an elective surgery called selective dorsal rhizotomy (SDR), which will involve cutting the sensory nerve fibres which are sending incorrect signals to her brain.

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“The surgery will enable her greater independence later in life as it will remove the spasticity and tightness from her muscles which is something we already battle with everyday and it will get worse as she grows.

“Annabelle has been accepted for SDR surgery at The Portland Hospital in London, and the cost of the surgery is £34,500.

“We need to raise a further £7,500 to get Annabelle the surgery, which we are hoping to have done in January (funds dependent) so that she can recover from surgery and have at least six months of intensive therapy (five days a week) before she starts school in September 2021.

“Following surgery we will need to continue to raise money for the therapy that Annabelle will need post-op.

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“The surgery and the post-op therapy go hand in hand, with the therapy being just as, if not more important.

“Annabelle has worked so hard in the last three years to get to where she is today and now it’s time to up her game and get her to work even harder. All of this is for Annabelle, to allow her greater comfort and a greater chance of independence later in life. The surgery will not mean she will walk independently but will mean things like transitioning from one position to another and maintain a sitting position will become easier.

“After three years of not being able to sit and play independently without us being there ready to catch her when she falls, we need to give her this opportunity.”

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