AN appeal to help a 18-month-old twin boy with quadriplegic cerebral palsy have life-changing surgery has secured more backing.
Luca Johnson from Leigh, contracted NEC, a serious illness in which tissues in the intestine become inflamed and start to die. He has also had sepsis twice and meningitis four times.
Fighting all of this has led to Luca suffering brain damage which has caused a form of cerebral palsy that makes it difficult to control movements in the arms and the legs.
This means he is unable to sit unaided, talk, stand or walk.
An operation, Selective Dorsal Rhizotomy (SDR), corrects muscle spasticity by cutting the nerve roots in the spinal cord that are sending abnormal signals to the muscles.
Luca Johnson
Twins Luca and Lola
This is not available on the NHS so his family have been hosting fundraising events to reach the £16,000 towards the cost of the surgery.
The money will also be used towards intensive physiotherapy which is needed before and after the surgery.
After hearing Luca’s story, Persimmon Homes North West donated £1,000 towards the fund, via its Community Champions scheme.
Jodie and Matthew Johnson carrying their twins Lola and Luca with their other son Nova, centre
Luca’s mum Jodie said: “Luca has had a very difficult start to life and to be given the chance to have this amazing surgery would be life changing. We have raised just short of £2,000 by skydiving, a 10k run and raffle so thank you Persimmon Homes for naming Luca one of your community champions.”
Luca lives with Jodie, his dad Matthew, twin sister Lola and brother Nova.
To donate to the crowdfunding appeal click here.
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