When Asher Carroll was diagnosed with cerebral palsy caused by a stroke suffered before he was born, his parents were forced to face the reality that he might never walk without support.
But they never gave up hope, and have now launched an appeal to raise £70,000 to take four-year-old Asher to the United States to have an operation that could help him walk unaided.
Asher, from Brighton, cannot currently walk or stand without support, and parents Kate Blok and Andrew Carroll said without surgery his condition would deteriorate as he gets older.
Ms Blok said: “Asher and his five-year-old sister Ariella are desperate to run around together. We have a chance to give him a brighter future.”
The surgery he needs is called Selective Dorsal Rhizotomy (SDR).
Ms Blok explained: “SDR will help him in so many ways: reduce his pain, reduce the frequency of future surgeries, improve his speech, his balance, his ability to sit, to stand, and to write and it will give him that cherished chance of walking independently.”
Asher would have to wait another 18 months before an operation could take place in England. The procedure is not routinely funded by the NHS, so his parents have to pay about £30,000.
Ms Blok said: “If he waits that long, his condition will deteriorate and he risks permanent deformities.”
Camp Simcha is assisting Asher’s family with the fundraising campaign, which has already raised £26,000, but the family needs to reach £40,000 by February.
Camp Simcha chief executive Neville Goldschneider said: “Our team will be there for Asher and his family, with whatever practical and emotional support they need, throughout his stay in hospital and the immediate period after.”
For more Info: www.campsimcha.com/ashersfund
To get more news, click here to sign up for our free daily newsletter.