A year ago today a little Perthshire boy had an operation that completely changed his life.
The procedure cost £40,000 but, speaking to The Courier, Jack McNaughton’s mum Stacy said it had been worth every penny.
The four-year-old from Almondbank, who suffers from cerebral palsy, has exceeded the expectations of medical professionals over the past year.
Dr TS Park, who carried out the procedure at St Louis Children’s Hospital in Missouri, anticipated Jack might be able to use crutches by the time he was six or seven.
Previously destined to life in a wheelchair, the youngster was whizzing around in a specialised walker within weeks and could walk with sticks after 10 months.
Jack, who wants to play football for Scotland when he grows up, was keen to show The Courier just how far he had come when we visited his home.
The local community rallied round the McNaughton family to help pay for the trip last year. In just six months more than £75,000 was raised, which also funded specialist equipment and private physiotherapy sessions.
Stacy (26) and husband Graham (32) said they will be ”eternally grateful”.
Stacy said: ”We thought our wee boy would have to spend his entire life in a wheelchair never kicking a ball or running with his friends.”
Though the couple were apprehensive before the operation, known as selective dorsal rhizotomy (SDR), they knew they had to give Jack a ”chance”.
”His quality of life was so poor before,” Stacy continued. ”His family all loved him to pieces, but he was in a lot of pain and used to get so frustrated.
“He made such a quick recovery after surgery and has worked so hard all year. He’s just amazing. Even a 5% or 10% improvement would have been something, but his life has completely changed for the better.
”He knows he will need to continue working hard and attending regular physiotherapy sessions, but he knows it’s worth it. Seeing his face when he walked with his crutches unaided for the first time was overwhelming.”
Stacy added: ”I want to reiterate how grateful we are to every single person who raised funds and those who continue to contribute to Jack’s Fund.
”We would not be where we are today if it hadn’t been for the generous Perthshire community and all our family and friends.”
Staff at St Louis Children’s Hospital also contacted The Courier to praise Jack’s efforts.
Senior physiotherapist Deanna Walter, who worked with him immediately post-operation, said: ”Jack has made remarkable progress since having the SDR procedure. His family have shown outstanding dedication to his rehabilitation and we expect him to keep making great progress.
”The team here at St Louis is truly inspired by Jack’s determination to walk and become more independent.”
The family, who have inspired countless others across Scotland, will return to Missouri next year for a follow-up appointment with Dr Park.
NHS Tayside allied health professions lead Morag Dorward praised Jack’s efforts.
She said: ”Jack has worked very hard and is making progress. NHS Tayside physiotherapy and occupational therapy services have been involved in Jack’s care since his return from surgery in the USA.
”This has included working with his parents and nursery staff to support Jack to attend nursery and get involved in activities along with the other children, as well as direct therapy to increase his mobility.
”We look forward to an ongoing partnership to meet Jack’s changing needs.”