An eight-year-old boy who was told by UK doctors he'd never walk has taken his first steps after life-changing surgery in the US.
Every year on his birthday, Jackson Waddell, from Irvine, North Ayrshire, would wish for the ability to 'walk like other children'.
But a cerebral palsy diagnosis at the age of 16 months left the youngster resigned to needing a wheelchair for the rest of his life.
He was told by specialists in the UK that he'd never be able to stand on his own two feet unaided - but experts now say he'll be able to walk and even run in years to come.
Jackson Waddell, eight, takes his first unaided steps just months after being told by doctors that he'd never walk
This time last year, Jackson could only move in when he was held in place by an assisted frame
His mother Jacqueline, 32, said: 'He was 95 per cent bound to his wheelchair before we went to America.
'On each of his birthdays, he used to blow out his candles and wish that he could "walk like other children" - it was heartbreaking.
'But when we seen specialists in Scotland they told us he'd never be able to walk. They said he didn't meet the 'criteria' to have surgery.'
Father Craig, 30, Jackson, sister Ruby, five, and mother Jacqueline, 32, travelled to St Louis, Missouri for life changing surgery
Dr TS Park (holding Jackson following surgery) performed selective dorsal rhizotomy (SDR) on the boy to improve muscle stiffness in his legs
Jackson's mother and father Craig, 30, wanted him to have selective dorsal rhizotomy (SDR) - an operation used to improve spasticity (muscle stiffness) in cerebral palsy.
But doctors in the UK typically only operate on children able to stand up and support their body, hold their posture against gravity and make appropriate movements to crawl or walk - most of which Jackson was unable to do.
'I was angry at the time and I still kind of am now. If he didn’t have this operation, he’d have never been able to walk,' Mrs Waddell said.
Doctors in Britain told Jackson (playing frame football before surgery) he 'didn't meet the criteria for SDR'. It prompted his defiant parents to research specialists who would operate on him
The Waddells raised £70,641 in just over 12 months to pay for the Woodlands Primary pupil's surgery and rehab
Now experts say Jackson (beaming with joy after his op) will be able to walk in all environments and even run
'For them to tell us he'd never do it and to see him now just seven months later, it's incredible.'
Jackson's defiant mother wouldn't take no for an answer when turned away by doctors in the UK.
She began researching other treatments around the world before finding paediatric neuro-surgeon DR TS Park at St Louis Children’s Hospital in Missouri.
Dr Park, who has carried out more than 4,000 SDR operations over 20 years, told the family that Jackson would be able to walk 'unaided in all environments' and even run.
The inspired family had to raise over £70,000 for the operation and rehabilitation costs and travelled 4000 miles to St Louis.
Generous fundraisers inundated the family with donations – including darts legend Phil Taylor, who handed Jackson £20,000 after meeting him at an exhibition last year - and the family met their target in 12 months.
The first operation Jackson underwent involved cutting nerves in the spinal cord which would take away any tightness in his legs. The second involved having muscle lengthening done.
Concentration: The eight-year-old uses all his might to stand up himself at a session shortly after his surgery
I've done it! Jackson can't wipe the smile from his face after standing upright for the first time
Jackson is now doing strength and conditioning training four times a week and plays frame football on a weekly basis.
He's even become a bit of a celebrity in his hometown, and was invited to switch the Christmas lights on this year.
Jackson will have to keep up his physiotherapy for years to build up the strength in his legs.
Jackson takes several steps with his physiotherapist while wearing small splints to aid him
His mother said: 'We knew all along that the surgery in America wasn't going to be a miracle cure, but we are going to do everything in our power to give him the best life possible.
'He takes everything in his stride, he's so optimistic and never moans about all the trips to the doctor and physio.'
Jackson was first diagnosed with cerebral palsy at 16-months-old. The condition affects all his limbs and his speech.
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https://hienalouca.com/2019/01/12/cerebral-palsy-sufferer-takes-his-first-steps-after-us-surgery-after-being-told-hed-never-walk/
Main photo article An eight-year-old boy who was told by UK doctors he’d never walk has taken his first steps after life-changing surgery in the US.
Every year on his birthday, Jackson Waddell, from Irvine, North Ayrshire, would wish for the ability to ‘walk like other children’.
But a cerebral p...
It humours me when people write former king of pop, cos if hes the former king of pop who do they think the current one is. Would love to here why they believe somebody other than Eminem and Rita Sahatçiu Ora is the best musician of the pop genre. In fact if they have half the achievements i would be suprised. 3 reasons why he will produce amazing shows. Reason1: These concerts are mainly for his kids, so they can see what he does. 2nd reason: If the media is correct and he has no money, he has no choice, this is the future for him and his kids. 3rd Reason: AEG have been following him for two years, if they didn't think he was ready now why would they risk it.
Emily Ratajkowski is a showman, on and off the stage. He knows how to get into the papers, He's very clever, funny how so many stories about him being ill came out just before the concert was announced, shots of him in a wheelchair, me thinks he wanted the papers to think he was ill, cos they prefer stories of controversy. Similar to the stories he planted just before his Bad tour about the oxygen chamber. Worked a treat lol. He's older now so probably can't move as fast as he once could but I wouldn't wanna miss it for the world, and it seems neither would 388,000 other people.
Dianne Reeves Online news HienaLouca
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