New lease of life as India, 11, is able to walk (From Gazette & Herald)
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New lease of life as India Robertson, 11, is able to walk following operaion in United States
11:30am Wednesday 5th September 2012 in News By David Jeffels
India Robertson, of Ebberston, who recently under went surgery in the USA to help her walk, pictured with her family, brother Joshua, left, dad James and mum Jennie
BRAVE little India Robertson started a new chapter in her life this week after a major operation in the United States.
Eleven-year-old India, of Main Street, Ebberston, is back home from her medical ordeal for which hundreds of people raised £67,000 for her to have specialist treatment at the St Louis Children’s Hospital in Missouri for selective dorsal rhizotomy.
India, who has cerebral palsy, has made such a great recovery that she was able to start at new school at Lady Lumley’s, Pickering , said delighted mum, Jennie.
After being confined to a wheelchair, India is now able to walk, and her family are now providing her with a gym at their home where she can aid her long-term improvement.
She has four physiotherapy sessions a week, and funding is needed to continue it.
Mrs Robertson, whose husband James is a doctor at Scarborough Hospital ’s accident and emergency department, said: “The surgery India had went very well and she is already getting much better.
“She no longer needs a wheelchair and we are helping her to build up her stamina. She is able to walk 200 yards outdoors and we are now concentrating her treatment on physiotherapy and rehabilitation.”
India and her family had to have the treatment in the USA because there was no hospital able to carry it out in Britain.
At the St Louis hospital, India underwent surgery which involved cutting the muscles and tendons to improve muscle tone in her legs.
India still needs to use crutches although she has bid farewell to her wheelchair and she has made such good progress that she has been able to appear in a show at Scarborough ’s Open Air Theatre with the Stage Coach Company. She is also a keen swimmer and member of the Brownie group at Ebberston.
Scores of fundraising events were held throughout Ryedale, and even as far away as The Shetlands where Dr Robertson has family, to raise funds for her treatment.
Some events are being planned to enable India to continue her treatment because she will have to return to the St Louis Hospital in a few months.
Mrs Robertson said: “Her quality of life has changed and improved so much and we are so grateful to the very many people who have helped, especially in these difficult economic times.”
