Help Reef walk!

We need your help, please.

Hi, we are Alana and Tim, proud parents to Reef.

Reef has been accepted to have life-changing Selective Dorsal Rhizotomy surgery in St Louis, Missouri, America.

A little bit about Reef.

Reef is a bright 4-year-old with incredible resilience, a bubbly personality and a passion for life.

He is always more than happy and ready to chat your ear off and loves a good joke.

He loves music (especially rock; some of his favourite bands are AC/DC, Queen, ZZ Top and of course, The Wiggles).

He loves playing instruments, singing and playing with his friends.

When he grows up, he would like to be a garbage collection man or a postman.

Reef was born prematurely and as he grew, we noticed his stiffness, awkwardness and difficulty with movement.

He was diagnosed with spastic cerebral palsy at 16 months old and began intensive therapies.

Cerebral palsy, for the most part, affects Reef’s function of his legs and feet.

At 2.5 years old, Reef learned how to use a Kaye paediatric walker.

He wears orthotics and has also had multiple rounds of Botox in his legs and serial casting on his legs and feet.

At almost 4 years old, Reef relies on his Kaye walker and crawling, for day-to-day activities.

Reef is unable to walk independently.

Spasticity (abnormal muscle tightness) makes moving really difficult and tiring for Reef and it is already taking a toll on his young body.

He is now also realising that the symptoms of cerebral palsy are putting limitations on things that he wants to and tries to do.

Why do we need your help?

Reef has been assessed and accepted by world-renowned neurosurgeon, Dr T.S. Park, to have life-changing Selective Dorsal Rhizotomy surgery in America.

SDR surgery involves testing and cutting the abnormal nerve fibers in the lower spinal cord, to eliminate or permanently reduce spasticity.

Dr T.S. Park recommends SDR surgery be carried out between 2-4 years old, for children to achieve the best possible outcome.

Reef is almost 4 years old.

What does this mean for Reef?

A hugely improved quality of life!

Reef is expected to be able to walk independently in all environments!

A life with permanently reduced spasticity, sitting and standing posture improvement, transitions that are easier and faster, balance and comfort will improve.

The bit that is hard to talk about:

If Reef does not have SDR surgery, the spasticity will continue to cause him constant pain, as well as permanent muscle, tendon, tissue and bone deformity.

This means that Reef will lose his current physical ability.

What does SDR surgery mean for our family?

Traveling to America for the surgery, and spending 5 weeks there for Reef’s recovery and post-surgery intensive therapy program.

Reef will then continue his therapy program upon our return, to ensure he achieves the best possible results.

Tim works as a chef and Alana is an Admin Assistant.

The cost of surgery is beyond our financial capacity and this is why we are asking for community support.

Your donation will help to cover the expenses for surgery, hospital fees, travel, accommodation and post-surgery therapy.

Cost Breakdown:

SDR Surgery USD $42,618.00

PERCS Surgery USD $14,246.00

Equipment USD $6500

Rehabilitative therapy USD $ 2,500.00

Travel costs (5 weeks abroad) est. USD $20,000.00

Total approx. $130,000.00 AUD.

Our family are extremely grateful, from the bottom of our hearts, for any support that is received.

We also ask that you please share Reef’s page with your social media community.

Thank you, with your help, we truly can Help Reef walk!

Alana, Tim & Reef.