Cameron’s very own ‘mini miracle’

Brave youngster Cameron Harper - who has cerebral palsy - has taken his first steps as he recovers from an operation to help him walk for the first time.
Newspaper: Pontefract & Castleford Express.
Story: Cameron Harper from Whitwood, Castleford. Cameron who has Cerebral Palsy, had an operation earlier during 2015 which is designed to help him walk for the first time.
Pictured with his delighted mum, Nicola.
Photo Date: 18/05/15
Photo Ref: AB036b0515Newspaper: Pontefract & Castleford Express.
Story: Cameron Harper from Whitwood, Castleford. Cameron who has Cerebral Palsy, had an operation earlier during 2015 which is designed to help him walk for the first time.
Pictured with his delighted mum, Nicola.
Photo Date: 18/05/15
Photo Ref: AB036b0515
Newspaper: Pontefract & Castleford Express. Story: Cameron Harper from Whitwood, Castleford. Cameron who has Cerebral Palsy, had an operation earlier during 2015 which is designed to help him walk for the first time. Pictured with his delighted mum, Nicola. Photo Date: 18/05/15 Photo Ref: AB036b0515

The seven-year-old had specialist Selective Dorsal Rhizotomy (SDR) surgery at Leeds General Infirmary in January.

Now, just four months after his surgery, Cameron has started walking on specialist crutches.

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His mum Nicola, 39, said: “It has literally been a mini-miracle. He has gone from crawling around on the floor to being able to get around on his own - it’s just amazing.

Newspaper: Pontefract & Castleford Express.
Story: Cameron Harper from Whitwood, Castleford. Cameron who has Cerebral Palsy, had an operation earlier during 2015 which is designed to help him walk for the first time.
Photo Date: 18/05/15
Photo Ref: AB036c0515Newspaper: Pontefract & Castleford Express.
Story: Cameron Harper from Whitwood, Castleford. Cameron who has Cerebral Palsy, had an operation earlier during 2015 which is designed to help him walk for the first time.
Photo Date: 18/05/15
Photo Ref: AB036c0515
Newspaper: Pontefract & Castleford Express. Story: Cameron Harper from Whitwood, Castleford. Cameron who has Cerebral Palsy, had an operation earlier during 2015 which is designed to help him walk for the first time. Photo Date: 18/05/15 Photo Ref: AB036c0515

“He has really had to put in the work though. He currently has physiotherapy five times a week and he’s been doing work with me and his dad in between.”

The Smawthorne Henry Moore Primary School pupil was one of the first to have SDR surgery which involves cutting nerves in the spine which cause muscle stiffness .

It took five hours to complete and he also spent time with a specialist physiotherapist in Scotland.

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Mrs Harper said: “The operation has just made such a big difference.

“He is like a totally different child.

“It has been a big change for all of us because we have all seen how far he has come on.

“It takes a lot of strain of us as parents as well because he has become more independent.”

John Goodden, consultant paediatric neurosurgeon, said: “I’m absolutely delighted to hear that Cameron is doing so well following his SDR surgery.

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“We have been carrying out Selective Dorsal Rhizotomy successfully in Leeds since 2012 and have performed nearly 50 SDR operations.

“It’s been a great pleasure to look after Cameron. We’re enjoying seeing his progress and look forward to helping more children like him.”