Cashton has a very rare degenerative neurological disorder called Hereditary Spastic Paraplegia- SPG4. It impacts the lower limbs and affects everyone differently. Cashton's symptoms are on the severe side. He is unable to keep his feet flat, he cannot stand up straight, and he cannot walk unassisted. He is able to walk on his toes using a posterior walker, but the heavier he gets, the less he can do that. There is no cure for HSP. However, there is a treatment that will improve his quality of life called Selective Dorsal Rhizotomy that he has been approved for. Cashton will need to travel to Norton's Children's Hospital in Louisville for this operation. The doctor will cut a nerve in his spinal cord to release or remove spasticity. Cashton will spend five days recovering in the hospital after the operation. Insurance will probably not cover the cost of the operation or the hospital stay, as they have denied most of his medical needs and are telling us we must pay out of pocket and there will be many other expenses related to his surgery. Funds donated will be used to cover travel expenses for at least eight nights in a hotel. Funds will also be used to pay for things Cashton will need after SDR surgery, including four months of intensive physical therapy and custom orthopedics—braces and night splints. He will then require another appointment four months after his procedure to do a follow-up that will require another round of travel expenses.

Any funds collected but not used for SDR expenses will go toward purchasing his new wheelchair, occupational therapy, and any additional physical therapy he'll need over the years.

The operation will be taking place sometime in 2026 so preparations are being made now.

Our family is thankful for all the support that is being offered to give sweet Cashton a better quality of life!