It is ten months since brave Brooke Lawrance’s life-changing operation.

Ipswich Star: Brooke Lawrance has a physio session with Chris Smith at her home in Ipswich.Brooke Lawrance has a physio session with Chris Smith at her home in Ipswich. (Image: Archant)

The seven-year-old, who suffers from cerebral palsy, underwent pioneering surgery in America last November to help her walk for the first time.

But now she is preparing to show specialists at St Louis Children’s Hospice in Missouri just how far she has come since her successful selective dorsal rhizotomy operation.

Brooke, who was diagnosed with the condition as a toddler, will be flying over to America for her yearly check-up in November.

Parents Sarah and Peter Lawrance, of Morland Road, Ipswich, were told Brooke would spend her life in a wheelchair.

But they said Brooke is winning her battle to walk with lots of hard work and determination.

“Brooke, Peter and her grandad Brian will be flying out for her follow-up appointment with specialists which is on November 25,” Mrs Lawrance, 34, added.

“They will see how she is coming along and if there’s anything else she needs to be doing.

“But we think they will be really pleased with her progress and how far she has come.

“She has amazed me with five sessions of physio a week which has left her exhausted.”

Physiotherapist Chris Smith, from Kids Physio 2 U, visits Brooke three times a week to put her through her paces and strengthen her muscles.

Mrs Lawrance, who also has children Nadine, nine, Neve, four, and two-year-old Samuel, said: “She is using her walker outside but inside the house she now uses her sticks.”

A bag packing fundraiser to help pay for Brooke’s physiotherapy sessions will be held at the Asda superstore in Goddard Road this weekend from 10am to 4pm on both Saturday and Sunday. Visit www.justgiving.com/brookeswishtowalk to donate.

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