This is the heartwarming moment two-year-old Samuel Wright defied the odds by taking his first steps.
Samuel’s little face was full of joy as he put one foot in the front of the other after undergoing revolutionary therapy in London.
It is a moment his parents, Jonathan and Anna, thought they’d never see after their son was diagnosed with severe quadriplegic spastic cerebral palsy.
Jonathan, of Morpeth, Northumberland, said: “In the video he had a little bit of assistance but he was able to walk, which he hasn’t been able to do.
“There were several different doctors involved in his care and when he left hospital they said he would never walk independently.
“To see him go from that to learn how to take steps forward by himself is unbelievable.”
Little Samuel was “lifeless and grey” when he was born at Newcastle’s Royal Victoria Infirmary after Anna got into difficulties during labour.
Born weighing 3.7kg, it took doctors 23 minutes and three intubation attempts to stabilise his heart rate.
Doctors told his parents to prepare for the worst as their son had less than 1% chance of survival.
After three days in intensive care, brave Samuel fought back from the brink and began breathing on his own.
But his traumatic start to life caused him to suffer severe brain damage leaving him unable to walk.
To help Samuel develop his mobility, he underwent revolutionary cuevas medek exercise (CME) therapy.
Over four days, the therapy involved building core stability around his pelvis so he would be more stable when standing.
Jonathan, 36, said: “He was getting to his feet in different positions and it was assisting him to step and stand on different textures and use different movements. He’s made so much progress.”
Samuel’s parents are still hoping to send him to the Neurological and Physical Abilitation Centre (NAPA) in America in 2019 to further his development.
To donate to their fundraising page, visit www.justgiving.com/campaigns/charity/just4children/saveforsamuel.
