Charlie's SDR Journey

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Charlie's SDR Journey

Charlie is 15 years old and has Cerebral Palsy.

We are hoping to raise £36,000 for an SDR operation and Physio therapy to reduce the spasticity in his muscles and increase his independence and movement

24/11/2025

Little update, Charlie’s surgery went well and thankfully he does not need hip surgery🙌🏼
2 weeks in full leg splints none weight baring. Then 6 weeks with leg braces with knee degree bend changes and transferring.
6 1/2 hours in surgery and now sleeping off the meds.
Thank you for all your well wishes, we really appreciate it x

21/11/2025

After Charlie’s last surgery we were told with a time of 6 weeks recovery he’d be straight back in for the next surgeries, which in a shortened space of time he would have less chance of muscle loss with him being non weight baring and a need for less time absent from school with this year being his year of GCSE’s .
Charlie has dealt with his recovery so well, he amazes me everytime🥰.
However due to a family bereavement this did not go to plan and Charlie’s surgeries had to be postponed and he has been home schooled since the beginning of September due to his feet now being in the correct position but his legs not and the slightest knock could cause him problems.
However we have a date for Monday the 24th November for Charlie’s next surgery date.
He will again be having both legs operated on which will consist of femur rotation osteotomy and both knees reconstructed. Charlie will need to be in knee braces for up to 8 weeks. It was initially said he would need 12 surgeries but with 4 being successfully done the first time round and this time another 4 at one time there’s hope that he may not need the other surgeries if all goes as expected 🤞

23/07/2025

And just like that we are home🙌🏼

2 weeks for fresh casting, 6 weeks non weight baring and 8 weeks for the next operation of femur and fibula rotation osteotomies

21/07/2025

So today after a long wait Charlie has had both of his feet reconstructed and subtalar fusion on both ankles. Surgery was 6 1/2 hours but he is currently doing well and sleeping off the meds

18/06/2025

We eventually have a date for Charlie’s surgeries to begin.
Operation 1 and 2 of a possible 10/12 will be both his feet and ankles on the 21st July with 6 weeks intense physiotherapy build up

22/04/2025

After speaking to Charlie’s consultant again we are still no further forward with a date for his surgeries to begin. I have spoken to his physiotherapist, o/t’s, his orthotist and hospital secretaries. The struggle the NHS are having to get 2 surgeons together is very frustrating but again we are told around summer time. 🤞we hear something soon.

17/02/2025

It’s been what seems a very long time since we have had anything to update on the page in regards to when Charlie will start the surgeries that he needs before he is able to have his SDR surgery which we fundraised for. After speaking to the consultant today it has been said that Charlie is high at the top of the list however as 2 surgeons are needed at the same time to complete the operations this is currently delaying a date being given along with the NHS being over run. The only information we currently have is that hopefully Charlie will begin his surgeries before summer any updates we get I will update the page again x

01/08/2024

Update on seeing Charlie’s consultant yesterday. It has been recommended that he has 12 bone surgeries(6 on each leg) that will range from foot and ankle surgery, above and below knee surgery, knee surgery, possible hip surgery and bone grafts. It’s planned that his surgeries will start before the end of the year. 2 surgeries per leg will be completed every 4-6 weeks. Charlie is more concerned that he’s going to loose a couple of inches from his height but knows he is going to have to work really hard in his strengthening rehab. After this SDR surgery can be assessed again. I just wanted to reassure everyone again that Charlie’s funds raised still sit securely with the Bradley Lowery Foundation and will remain with them until Charlie is 100% ready for SDR

15/04/2024

It's been a long wait but we have finally just attended the Newcastle Gait Analysis Lab where Charlie's gait characteristics in his hips, knees, ankles and feet have been assessed. We wait now for an appointment with his consultant to see which surgery is going to be the most positive going forward and then to give Charlie time to recover then build up his strength before being re-assessed for SDR at Alderhey. Time scales unknown as always but Charlie still remains his determined self

22/11/2023

Yesterday we attended Alderhey Children's Hospital in Liverpool for gait analysis to check if Charlie was ready for his SDR surgery. The amount of exercise and life changes that Charlie has put in since we were last there definitely showed and he went above and beyond everything that was expected of him. This child of ours has so determination beyond belief and we are so so proud of him. However because Charlie has had a big growth spurt in height another obstacle has been put in his way. His knees now have a bent stance, very common in cerebral Palsy. SDR will remove all spasticity from his muscles but without a full leg length it will be harder for him to build muscle mass after surgery and he would not get the full benefit from it. To over come this its has been recommended that Charlie has some form of corrective surgery on his knees at home and recover fully before going back to Alderhey to be re-assessed again. It's not exactly the news we wanted but it's not something that is going to stop future SDR. Charlie has overcome so much in his 13 years and even surprises us as his parents alot of the time. We also wanted to reassure everyone that all funding that was raised for Charlie's surgery is still with The Bradley Lowery Foundation and will remain with them until Charlie is 100% ready to be the strongest he can be for and after SDR surgery.

31/01/2023

Hi everyone, it's been so long since I last updated the page and we've had a few messages and questions asking when Charlie's surgery date is so thought it easier to update the page.
He has a few milestones he still needs to reach but is working very hard towards them and once we have reached what is expected I shall update the page😘😘😘

Address

Hetton Le Hole
Sunderland

Website

https://www.justgiving.com/campaign/CharliesSDRJourney

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