Independence for Mikey

From the begining, weighing in a 2lbs 13oz Mikey has had so many obstacles to overcome. He is nothing short of a miracle! If you know Mikey then you know he is smart, happy, sassy and determined to prove everyone wrong.  After several surgeries and endless hours of therapy I was told about a "life changing" surgery that would give Mikey the opportunity to one day be able to walk (with a walker and arm canes...maybe on his own) and be pain free. On June 17th, Mikey will undergo a surgery called Selective Dorsal Rhizotomy (SDR) in St. Louis, Missouri. This surgery is a neurological procedure that will reduce the spasticity of Mikey's Cerebral Palsy.  The surgeon will open his back and test each nerve of the bilateral L1/Ss nerve root with electrical stimulation through EMG monitoring.  He will need to stay in the hospital for five days following the surgery.  When we return home, he will start therapy five times a week with his physical therapist as well as lots of therapy and stretching at home for a minimum of 4-6 months.  This isn't something that will change over night. He will need to strengthen his muscles and train his brain how to communicate with his legs. I have done the research and spoken with several families that have had this surgery done for their child and heard muliptle times"Best decision I ever made", "Why did we wait so long" and from a 12 year old patient "I feel like a new person".How can I not give Mikey this chance to be free and have the ability to be able to walk, run, and be a kid.  If you could help Mikey in anyway possible I would be forever grateful.  This will be his 8th surgery in 7 (almost 8)years. I pray that this will be the final. Your contiuned love and support is appreciated more then words could ever express. Please pass this on to anyone you think would be interested in Mikey and helping him achieve what the Doctors said that he wouldn't be able to do.