Therapy for Joel post SDR surgery

Following multiple MRI scans, genetic testing and physio assessments Joel was diagnosed with Spastic Diplegic Cerebral Palsy in January 2021, being 2 years and 5 months old at the time. 

This has affected Joel’s legs causing increased muscle tone and stiffness.

We started fundraising back in 2021 to help fund Joel’s therapy to help him get on his feet and walking! At 2 years and 6 months old Joel began using his Kaye Walker and was able to manoeuvre round short distances with this.

Joel started walking unaided at 3 years and 8 months old! This is all because of YOU and the support and fund you have given us to help Joel.

 Since March Joel has been under GOSH having assessments for SDR surgery. This surgery will help Joel incredibly, however Joel requires and massive amount of therapy post surgery. Joel had his surgery on the 02/09/2023 @ GOSH!!!

 Joel will require a large amount of therapy to help get Joel back on his feet, and gain his strength back. 

 We was originally going to be going to America for Joel, however with this surgery… it was decided we focused to increasing Joel’s strength and looking at America after. ( which as also recommended but specialists). 

 The two years post SDR surgery are the most important for Joel. Joel’s outcome of this surgery is based on the rehabilitation in the 2 years following the surgery. Since the surgery, Joel has lost all the strength he has built since last year when he started walking. ( this is normal post SDR) Because the new signal rootlets in the spinal Cord have been cut. 

Joel has a massively reduced amount of spasticity which he depended on to walk. Joel now needs to ‘ re wire’ his nerves and learn to walk again. So therapy is everything right now. 

 Joel currently needs a minimum of 5 sessions per week of physio in order to get Joel back on his feet. As well as more therapy for Joel with the therapists we are currently working with. 

 We are looking to purchase additional therapy equipment for home use. We have a Facebook and instagram page running. This was made purely to document Joel’s progress, raise awareness for CP and it’s also something for us to look back on in the years to come to see how much Joel’s improved.

 Facebook - Joelsjourney Instagram - @_joelsjourney 

 If you have any questions done hesitate to contact us, we are happy to answer any questions. 

 Any donation would mean the world to us all, thank you all for taking the time to read this. Mitch & Hannah ( Joel’s parents )