BRAVE Belfast boy Cavan Deighan has undergone life-changing surgery in the US in a bid to help him to walk.
At just 18 months old, little Cavan was diagnosed with a form of cerebral palsy – spastic diplegia – that causes muscle tightness and pain in his legs, affecting his ability to walk.
But thanks to the generosity of the public and sports stars that include Tommy Bowe and Carl Frampton, Cavan’s parents Emma and Diarmiud have managed to raise £80,000 to take their young son to St Louis’ Children’s Hospital in Missouri for the operation.
Brave Cavan Deighan in Missouri for the surgeryNow, aged three, the youngster has stunned doctors with his remarkable progress.
Scroll down to watch Cavan take his first steps
Cavan, who is now riding his bike unaided and getting around with the help of a walker, has surpassed all expectations with his progress.
Medics believe he’ll be able to walk independently sooner than previously anticipated.
Cavan makes progress with the help of his walker“The doctor has told us that Cavan should be able to walk independently without crutches or a walker within one to two years,” mum Emma says.
“It means we’ll have to put in the hard work now that we’re home and make sure he does plenty of physiotherapy to build up the strength in his legs.
“But he’s surprising everyone. He’s come on so well in such a short space of time.
"I have to admit, the first time I saw him ride a bike in St Louis was a pretty special moment. Beforehand, he didn’t have the power to push the pedals.
“He used to get around with a walker but he was harnessed into it.
"Now, it’s just him moving it. He was walking around our hotel in St Louis and he asked me to go and get him some sweets.
"I gave him 10 dollars and told him to go to the shop himself to get them. I was right behind him when he went over to the shop.
"Seeing him use the walker independently really choked me up.”
Cavan’s American journey began on November 17 when he was taken into the hospital, where he underwent three-and-a-half hours of surgery under the care of Dr Park, a paediatric neurosurgeon with expertise in treating children with cerebral palsy.
Cavan with paediatric neurosurgeon Dr ParkThe surgery – Selective Dorsal Rhizotomy – was successful and, after five days in hospital, Cavan was discharged.
Four weeks of daily physiotherapy ensued and, to everyone’s delight, Cavan began to show immediate signs of improvement.
And there’s been one extremely surprising side effect of Cavan’s progress.
Emma explains: “The most unexpected thing has happened since the surgery. Cavan has started singing all the time.
"He sings from the moment he gets up until bedtime; songs that he knows or just makes up.
"We’ve been told it’s because he’s no longer in agony and I’ve noticed the pained look on his face has now gone.
"To hear him sing and to know why he’s singing is just lovely.”
Cavan takes his first steps...
And so it begins! Just 11 days post op and Cavan is taking supported steps. #tinysuperhero
Posted by Cavan's First Steps on Monday, November 28, 2016
