Charity request

[TFU] Thegoon84 · 31 Jan 2012 at 11:03

Hi everyone

Hope this is ok for me to post up, I'm posted this on behalf of a close friend:

Friends of mine have a 4 year old daughter who has Diplegic Cerebral Palsy as a result of being born 2 months prematurely; she can’t walk and has to use a wheelchair. They have set up a fundraising charity called ‘Francescas Footsteps’ there was an article in the Evening Post on Saturday 28th January 2012.

They need to come up with £45,000 in the next 2 years for Francesca to travel to America for a life changing operation, which will mean she is able to walk and enjoy running round the playground with her friends rather than sit in her wheelchair.

They’ve set up a just giving page where you can contribute through, ofc not forcing anyone. Thanks for reading www.justgiving.com/francescasfootsteps

Scrutinize · 31 Jan 2012 at 11:13

What annoys me is the NHS will happily pay that to keep a smoker alive for another 2 years yet will not fund these kind of operations for a child just beginning their life.

fez · 31 Jan 2012 at 11:15

Scrutinize said:
What annoys me is the NHS will happily pay that to keep a smoker alive for another 2 years yet will not fund these kind of operations for a child just beginning their life.

Smokers pay for their healthcare through high tax on fags etc etc.....

That does seem strange that the NHS won't pay for this though.

Participant · 31 Jan 2012 at 11:24

Scrutinize said:
What annoys me is the NHS will happily pay that to keep a smoker alive for another 2 years yet will not fund these kind of operations for a child just beginning their life.

It seems that surgery is not recommended at young ages but treatment focuses on muscular therapy instead, besides which spasticity can return very shortly after an operation. Kids with spastic diplegia normally end up able to walk eventually, but that's not to say she shouldn't be helped in her very young life.

Yes I wiki'd that but at least it's summarised.

SuperBOB · 31 Jan 2012 at 11:36

Made a small donation - I hope they get enough.

SuperBOB · 31 Jan 2012 at 11:38

Robbie G said:
It seems that surgery is not recommended at young ages but treatment focuses on muscular therapy instead, besides which spasticity can return very shortly after an operation. Kids with spastic diplegia normally end up able to walk eventually, but that's not to say she shouldn't be helped in her very young life.

Yes I wiki'd that but at least it's summarised.

I choose to trust the parents/carers when it comes to this kind of thing. If they believe this is best for their daughter and need a little help to get it done then I chose to support them in that.

[TFU] Thegoon84 · 31 Jan 2012 at 11:59

Thanks a lot.

I have a 2 year old daughter myself and the thought of her missing out on doing what other children do brakes my heart. Its only money and in this case any money they get will actually make a difference!

joxang · 31 Jan 2012 at 12:03

Scrutinize said:
What annoys me is the NHS will happily pay that to keep a smoker alive for another 2 years yet will not fund these kind of operations for a child just beginning their life.

Simple answer is it's a difficult op with low success rates and is only likely to be successful in a small percentage of patients with CP.

The NHS does offer it, but where it's justified and when the child is over 5/6 (as the evidence base for doing the operation in younger children is small).

Whereas in America they'll do any op on you as long as you pay them enough and as long as it won't kill you.

Participant · 31 Jan 2012 at 12:05

SuperBOB said:
I choose to trust the parents/carers when it comes to this kind of thing.

Since they are not qualified medical professionals and are making decisions with their hearts rather than their heads, you have to ask if they are the best people to trust.

That said I have a 5 month old girl and if she was disabled in any way I'd do everything I could to get it done. Just pointing out why the NHS take the stance they do.

dcsarge · 31 Jan 2012 at 13:24

Robbie G said:
Since they are not qualified medical professionals and are making decisions with their hearts rather than their heads, you have to ask if they are the best people to trust.

It is my experience that parents of children with complex care needs are usually very well versed in the their child's condition and are very aware of the what is or isn't appropriate treatment. I have met too many professionals who haven't a clue about my son's condition and assume we know nothing about the best treatment. They don't hold that view for long.

No parent would put their child through any sort of invasive procedure unless they were certain the benefits outweigh the risk. This is a choice my wife and I have had to make many times in recent years.

If there was a chance of an operation giving my son the chance to walk, I would do everything in my power to get it done if it was the right option for him. I am sure the OP's friend's would have done the same.

OP: I will donate what I can tomorrow when our account is looking a bit happier. I wish them well and hope they reach their target quickly

[TFU] Thegoon84 · 31 Jan 2012 at 13:36

dcsarge said:
It is my experience that parents of children with complex care needs are usually very well versed in the their child's condition and are very aware of the what is or isn't appropriate treatment. I have met too many professionals who haven't a clue about my son's condition and assume we know nothing about the best treatment. They don't hold that view for long.

No parent would put their child through any sort of invasive procedure unless they were certain the benefits outweigh the risk. This is a choice my wife and I have had to make many times in recent years.

If there was a chance of an operation giving my son the chance to walk, I would do everything in my power to get it done if it was the right option for him. I am sure the OP's friend's would have done the same.

OP: I will donate what I can tomorrow when our account is looking a bit happier. I wish them well and hope they reach their target quickly

Thanks a lot mate. But ofc only give what you can

Also all the best to you and your family!!