Shropshire Star

Little Evie is walking tall after surgery

More than 12 months ago seven-year-old Evie Poole underwent a life-changing operation in the hope it would help her walk again unaided.

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And this year has seen Evie, who has cerebral palsy, make great strides as she continues to surprise her family and doctors with her progress.

The youngster walked with the aid of a frame prior to a selective dorsal rhizotomy operation at Leeds General Infirmary last September.

But over the last 12 months Evie has been able to get around without the use of the frame and take more and more steps independently.

As an alternative to the frame, Evie has also been making use of walking sticks and crutches.

Her father, Jonathan Poole, a paramedic in Market Drayton, said: "Evie is doing really well, we are absolutely delighted with the progress she has made and she is further on than we thought she would be.

"She can walk on her own; we have to be close to her, though. I think a lot of it is down to confidence and she does rely on us to be close to her.

"She recently had her annual assessment where the doctors said her progress is better than they expected.

"Evie has been brilliant; she works hard and never complains. She does horse riding and swimming.

"Her legs are good now. She just needs to focus on working on her hips around her pelvis – that is her weakest point."

Evie was diagnosed with cerebral palsy, a neurological condition which causes problems with movement and co-ordination, before her first birthday. Her family raised £50,000 for her to have the surgery

Her family, which also includes her brother Will, 5, currently live in Cannock, but are planning to move to Market Drayton next summer.

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