Brett's Cerebral Palsy Surgery
Donation protected
Hello, my name is Brett Carleton, I am 14 years old and I live in Toronto Canada. I was born at 30 weeks with Cerebral Palsy (CP) a “disorder of movement, muscle tone or posture that is caused by injury or abnormal development in the immature brain, most often before birth.” (mayoclinic.com). CP is causing my muscles and tendons to shorten which is causing my bones to be misaligned so I have mobility issues and pain. I am unable to walk on my own, stand up straight or use my right arm.
I am in my first year of High School and I have a small group of close friends that I have lots of fun with. We love to play video games and sometimes I ride my 4-wheel bike with them. I take a special bus to get to school where I have several assistants waiting to help me get to my locker and between classes.
When I was 6 I had several sessions of Hyperbaric Chamber Therapy. When I was 8 I had a major surgery which took 8 hours to lengthen my tendons, tendon transfers and bone osteotomies. I have plates in my hips now. I have had botox treatments since I was 2, and have had regular physiotherapy my entire life. My Mom and Dad acted as my legs for the first 8 years of my life – carrying me everywhere - and I am so very thankful for them.
I found out about a surgery for children with CP that is only available in the United States. Selective Percutaneous Myofascial Lengthening (SPML). It’s an orthopedic tendon/muscle lengthening surgery to relieve tension from muscle spasticity. I travelled to see a doctor in Summit, NJ where I received great news that I am a candidate for the surgery!! My surgery will take place this coming June.
I am so happy because this surgery will allow me to stand up straight and walk on my own. It will also straighten out my right arm so that I can use both hands and I will be able to get dressed on my own!! I will be able to do things differently, which are just the basics to some people. I am very excited to be able to walk the halls at my school without someone’s help and be able to hang out with my friends on my own. I LOVE sports, but right now I only have the ability to watch them. After this surgery I will be able to play my favourite sports, including basketball, soccer and hockey.
My Mom (my rock star) and I will be travelling to Summit NJ. My dad (dragon slayer) died suddenly and unexpectedly last July but I know he will be cheering me on and giving me all his strength. I really miss him – he always made me laugh – out loud!!
The money raised would go towards the medical expenses of this surgery. It would mean a lot to me and to my family if you could contribute and help me reach my goal. Thank you for all your support throughout my journey. I will be posting updates here and on my Facebook page. Please see the link below and LIKE my page.
https://www.facebook.com/Bretts-Cerebral-Palsy-Surgery-972528376163794/timeline
- Brett
I am in my first year of High School and I have a small group of close friends that I have lots of fun with. We love to play video games and sometimes I ride my 4-wheel bike with them. I take a special bus to get to school where I have several assistants waiting to help me get to my locker and between classes.
When I was 6 I had several sessions of Hyperbaric Chamber Therapy. When I was 8 I had a major surgery which took 8 hours to lengthen my tendons, tendon transfers and bone osteotomies. I have plates in my hips now. I have had botox treatments since I was 2, and have had regular physiotherapy my entire life. My Mom and Dad acted as my legs for the first 8 years of my life – carrying me everywhere - and I am so very thankful for them.
I found out about a surgery for children with CP that is only available in the United States. Selective Percutaneous Myofascial Lengthening (SPML). It’s an orthopedic tendon/muscle lengthening surgery to relieve tension from muscle spasticity. I travelled to see a doctor in Summit, NJ where I received great news that I am a candidate for the surgery!! My surgery will take place this coming June.
I am so happy because this surgery will allow me to stand up straight and walk on my own. It will also straighten out my right arm so that I can use both hands and I will be able to get dressed on my own!! I will be able to do things differently, which are just the basics to some people. I am very excited to be able to walk the halls at my school without someone’s help and be able to hang out with my friends on my own. I LOVE sports, but right now I only have the ability to watch them. After this surgery I will be able to play my favourite sports, including basketball, soccer and hockey.
My Mom (my rock star) and I will be travelling to Summit NJ. My dad (dragon slayer) died suddenly and unexpectedly last July but I know he will be cheering me on and giving me all his strength. I really miss him – he always made me laugh – out loud!!
The money raised would go towards the medical expenses of this surgery. It would mean a lot to me and to my family if you could contribute and help me reach my goal. Thank you for all your support throughout my journey. I will be posting updates here and on my Facebook page. Please see the link below and LIKE my page.
https://www.facebook.com/Bretts-Cerebral-Palsy-Surgery-972528376163794/timeline
- Brett
Organizer
Brett Carleton
Organizer
Etobicoke, ON