Family of cerebral palsy sufferer Susanna Petersburska get date for US treatment (From St Helens Star)

Family of cerebral palsy sufferer Susanna Petersburska get date for US treatment

7:00am Friday 28th September 2012 in News By Stephen Mather, Senior reporter

BEAMING with broad smiles, the parents of a little girl who is about to jet to the US for a life-changing operation, have thanked those who made their dream come true.

It seemed a tall task to raise the £60,000, needed to send Susanna Petersburska to St Louis, Missouri, but through dedication, hard work and a little help from their friends, devoted mum and dad Andrzej and Monika, did it.

Five-year-old Susanna, from Eccleston has cerebral palsy, meaning without the operation, she faces life in a wheelchair and the use of a walking frame.

But on October 18, they jet off on a journey to transform their lives. Susanna will undergo a procedure called selective dorsal rhizotomy, which involves cutting some of the sensory nerve fibres from the muscles to the spinal cord.

Andrzej said: “We’ve got the visas for the whole family. The flights are booked along with the accommodation and we are due to be there for around five weeks.

“We are really excited and still can’t believe it. “It will be hard work, with all the physiotherapy she will need. “And we have the equipment she needs for exercise.”

Both are hopeful of the operation’s success: “Five days after the operation, she will have one-hour physio per day. All in all it will prove to be an experience.”

They were keen to thank all those who helped them in their quest, including restaurant chain Frankie and Benny’s where Andrzej works, which held a fundraising weekend across the UK, smashing the family’s total by raising £100,000.

They thanked Susanna’s school Blackbrook St Mary’s, which she attends with big sister Maja and who help stage a number of fundraising activities along with the school’s parent’s group. And Philomena Denton, who staged an evening of clairvoyance, to boost their funds.

You can keep up to date with Susanna’s progress via Facebook. Follow Monika Petersburska.