Operation helps Molly find her feet

Buy photos » Broadway youngster Molly Grove is making good progress. Photo by Marcus Mingins 1312041MMR2

THE FATHER of a three-year-old girl who underwent a life-changing operation to help her walk for the first time has said he is delighted with its success.

Molly Grove, who suffers from spastic diplegia cerebral palsy which caused a painful tightening in her legs, will return to her Broadway home with her mum next week after travelling to America for surgery.

The complicated procedure was used to help reduce the tightness in her muscles and to make it easier for Molly to increase her strength with therapy and exercise.

The three-hour operation which took place last month, was funded by a hugely successful fund-raising appeal which generated more than £64,000 cruising past the initial target of £55,000 needed for Molly to have the surgery at St Louis Children's Hospital in Missouri.

A number of fund-raising events were held in the Vale and throughout the country over the summer including concerts and charity walks. Star of BBC One's The Voice Vince Freeman helped to the cause by playing for her and there was big support from PR guru Max Clifford who lives in the area.

Molly's father Richard told the Observer the operation had been a success and his daughter was able to get normal movement in her legs for the first time after previously only being able to walk with the help of a frame.

"We're absolutely delighted with how its gone," he said. "At the moment she can stand on her flat feet but not on her tip toes.

"It's just a matter of taking things slowly and going one step at a time as she will have physiotherapy for at least the next two years. But the signs so far have been really encouraging. She is making really good progress."

And Richard said the family have been blessed with the support they have had since the fund-raising appeal was launched back in June.

"We are very grateful with everything which has happened," he added.

"So many people have come to us and shown their support - people we don't even know. We can't thank them enough, they have truly amazed us.

"It just goes to show there are nice and good people around and it is not all doom and gloom in the world."

Regional news »