Help Lachlan Receive Life-Changing Surgery

My name is Lachlan, but most people call me Lachie.

 

I am 10 years old and I have cerebral palsy, but that doesn’t stop me living life to the full!

 

I am in grade 5 and just like all my friends, I love sports, especially football. The only problem is, I can’t play.

 

You see, I was born 13 weeks early, weighing only 1228g. I don’t know why I arrived early, but it was a big surprise. I fought really hard to breathe on my own, but it wasn’t enough. I had a brain bleed that caused a periventricular leukomalacia or PVL for short.

 

That is the medical term, but it means that the signals in certain parts of my brain don't work so well. This affects certain powers that I have, such as walking, running and jumping.

 

A month after my first birthday, the doctors said I had spastic quadriplegia cerebral palsy, meaning that my arms and legs are very, very tense most of the time, especially my legs.

 

I have been fighting every day to be where I am today. While my friends get to play sports, I go to therapy and receive treatments, but as I grow, my muscles are continuing to tighten, making everything harder for me.

 

I would love to be able to straighten my legs, stand and walk independently in my walker and play sports. An operation in the USA would be life-changing for me and the helping hand I need to chase my dreams, and even kick a football like my hero JT (Jonathan Thurston).

 

WILL YOU PLEASE HELP ME TAKE MY NEXT STEP?

 

Thank you,

Lachie

Donations made through GoFundMe are remitted to a trust account, held in Lachlan's name. These funds will be used to help pay for the costs associated with the operation in the US, which we are aiming to undertake in September.  Additional funds will be used to support Lachlan with intensive post-operative therapy, in order to maximise its effectiveness.  As Lachlan’s parents, Nigel and Victoria de Ryck are overseeing the fundraising efforts.

 

Please see https://www.lachieslegendarysteps.com for more information on me and how you can help!