A little boy whose condition leaves him fighting 'severe pain' has to have Botox injections in his legs every three months. Oliver Forsyth who was born premature at 30 weeks has cerebral palsy which impacts his ability to move and maintain balance and posture.
Doctors informed Oliver's parents that their five-year-old would be non-mobile, something that mum Catherine, and dad Richard, have come to terms with. In order to alleviate the pain in his legs, caused by spasticity, Oliver has to get Botox injections every three months.
Seeing Oliver restrained whilst being injected is a traumatic experience for the little boy and his parents. As reported by Liverpool ECHO, Catherine said: "It is heartbreaking and we can't keep on doing that.
"The Botox only lasts eight to 10 weeks, so we have four weeks when he is in severe pain with his legs. Oliver has spasticity in his legs, which causes him to shudder and cross his legs over so he can't do things independently.
"We have been told Oliver will be non-mobile in the aspect of walking. As a family we have come to terms with that, as that is what you do."
Surgery that will alleviate discomfort and stop the pain is an option that has come about following numerous meetings with medical staff. If Oliver does have Selective Dorsal Rhizotomy (SDR) he will no longer need to take Botox injections.
The operation involves entering the spinal cord and cutting sensory nerve fibres to reduce muscle stiffness. Six weeks of rehabilition will follow and overall the surgery could be life-changing for Oliver.
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However the option for SDR on the NHS is currently unavailable to him. In order to qualify for free SDR surgery, children need to be in the top levels - either Level Two or Level Three - of the Gross Motor Function Classification System, which classifies motor function of people with cerebral palsy.
Oliver is in Level Four, placing him out of the stages that would qualify him for SDR surgery on the NHS. His parents have set up a GoFundMe page which they hope will raise funds for Oliver's surgery.
Other fundraising efforts include professional MMA fighter Danny Dixon who will flip a tyre to the top of Moel Famau in Wales on Sunday, February 26. SDR surgery is the first step in helping Oliver lead a full life.
Muscle stiffness has also caused Oliver's hip to come out, which can only be rectified by an operation when he is seven years old. Catherine is hopeful of Oliver having the SDR operation prior to hip surgery, so that it is not a "vicious cycle".
Despite Oliver's pain, he is a 'happy little boy'. Mum Catherine said: "Oliver goes to a special needs school and since he has gone to school it is the best thing for him.
"He just loves school and he is so happy in school and the support I get from them is fantastic. He is such a happy little boy.
"He never sleeps, he doesn't sleep obviously because he is in so much pain with his legs. He loves being outdoors, playing, his communication has come on fantastic.
"When he is pain everything goes back, he regresses and struggles to develop. Me and his dad are so proud of him.
"He never cries, he is such a happy child. Oliver loves swimming but to enjoy swimming he's got to not be having that spasticity.
"We have numerous appointments a month for him, he does not moan. He gets on with it and takes everything in his stride."
Oliver's family said they are doing "everything" they can so their little boy can lead full life with minimal pain. To donate to Oliver's GofundMe page click here.
