Life-changing op means Rogiet five-year-old is up and about

Ruby Atkins, the daughter of Rachael, 33, and Antony Atkins, 40, was born 10 weeks prematurely on Christmas Day, 2010. She was diagnosed with bilateral cerebral palsy when she was two and a half-years-old, which restricts her mobility.

The Rogiet Primary School pupil underwent an operation called Selective Dorsal Rhizotomy (SDR) at Bristol Children's Hospital in September last year which could help her walk unaided. Now, a year-on from the operation, her father said she has had a 'good level of improvement in her range of mobility.'

He said: "Before when she was in the house she would often revert to crawling as it was her automatic mode to get from a to b. But after the operation she has improved her core strength and is more mobile.

"She doesn't crawl in the house anymore. She has her tripod walking sticks in the house and uses her K-walker out and about and at school."

The operation was funded with the help of the family, friends and the community following numerous fundraising activities which raised £43,000.

The surgery involved opening up the spine and cutting nerves to reduce spasticity- the tightness in the muscle. Mr Atkins said the operation aimed to remove around 70 per cent of that tightness.

He said his daughter is now a 'lot more independent' and has become more confident. Ruby has to undergo physiotherapy and takes part in horse riding and swimming to help her mobility.

He said: "Overall we are really satisfied at how Ruby is progressing. There is a long way to go in terms of independent walking but we always knew that would be the case."

Mr Atkins said: "We have tremendous support from Rogiet Primary School in particular the deputy head Mr Clewer and Miss Osborne who supports Ruby's with one to ones. Her riding school in Llanwern -Ponderosa are also very supportive.

"She is very excited as Rachael is pregnant with our second child - who is going to be a girl. Ruby is practising being the big sister."