Callum will be walking tall after his surgery

Published on 28/01/2013 14:22

A BRAVE youngster from Northumberland is recovering from life-changing surgery in America, thanks to the generosity of people in the county.

Callum Brown, from Seaton Sluice, flew to St Louis in Missouri last week, and on Friday the eight-year-old, who suffers from cerebral palsy, underwent the selective dorsal rhizotomy (SDR) operation to help him walk unaided.

Mum Sharon said: “He picked the raspberry gas and I was able to stay in theatre with him until he was under.

“Callum is much brighter and back to himself so much more, he’s eating and drinking well and giving me lip so I know he is on the mend.

“I can’t stop playing with his feet and legs they feel so much better already more flexible and he can move them higher than I have even seen him move his ankles before.”

Callum underwent the surgery at St Louis Children’s Hospital in Missouri after the weather delayed their journey when they were stuck at Amsterdam.

Callum will have a further operation at the hospital to lengthen his heel cords and hamstrings, and then.

The local community got behind Callum’s cause, and with the help of umbrella charity Angels of the North, raised the £70,000 needed to send Callum to St Louis.

Sharon added: “I can’t believe we are finally here, and he’s had the surgery, thank you to everyone who has helped make this happen, we couldn’t have done it without you.”

Archie Anderson, six, from Ashington, and seven-year-old Lily Gordon from North Shields, have already been to St Louis to have the surgery.

When Callum returns to the UK, the youngsters will work together at a special unit in Blyth with a physiotherapist to gain strength in his legs that will help him walk.

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Callum will be walking tall after his surgery

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