SDR Surgery for Tanner

SDR surgery is a Neuro Surgery. The Doctors will go into his lower back and interrupt the signals that are causing his legs to be hypertoned by cutting specific nerves. They will not grow back together. This is more than just a temporary fix. Sometimes a follow up surgery is needed either to cut a missed nerve or to lengthen the tendons. Physiotherapy will be needed afterwards so he can learn to walk on "normal" legs.

Throughout our lives we hear "let me know if there is anything I can do to help".  But we have always relied on the same family members to help both financially and emotionally. Seeing how Tanner is getting more self-conscious about his disability and the expenses that we will accrue from this journey will be beyond our means, we thought this was a great way for community, extended family and friends, to rally together and show him we care about his dreams of looking "normal" when he walks.
You see Tanner was born at 28 weeks. We heard his little heartbeat stop 3 times before being rushed to the OR. We were so scared he wasn't even going make it. A few days later a Doctor told us about the Cysts in his little brain. They had to be watched. The size of them would determine his quality of life. Eight months later he was diagnosed with Spastic Diplegia Cerebral Palsy.  We were told he may never walk. So we started on our journey to GET him walking.

Physio and Occupational therapy started immediately. Then we tried walkers and AFO's (leg braces). Then before his 3rd birthday, botox!! As helpful as botox was, it was also horrific and expensive. The bigger he gets the more he needs. Shortly after his very first round of botox and casts Tanner walked. We didn't tell anyone. A few weeks later he got to show off his new ability, as he walked down the aisle at our wedding all by himself. There wasn't a dry eye in that little church.....BUT....
"Get off of me" "Why are you doing this to me?" "Stop" and "this isn't fair" was what he screamed as 4 adults pinned him down and he received upto 7 injections into various muscle groups in each leg. Both legs are then put in casts for 2 weeks. He endured this every 6-8 months for 4 years.

He suffers from growing pains, charlie horses, muscle spasms or cramps. Call them whatever you like. But quite often he wakes up in the middle of the night screaming his legs hurt. It's intense and our hearts break everytime.

Tanner has come a long way but there has always been heartache and pain. This surgery will be LIFE CHANGING for him.

The funds we are seeking are for the expenses for 2 trips out to BC and extra therapy and equipment afterwards.

Etransfers can be sent to [email redacted]